(lass 







THE LIFE 

DARCY, LADY MAXWELL, 

OF POLLOCK; 
LATE OF EDINBURGH: 

COMPILED FROM HER 

VOLUMINOUS DIARY AND CORRESPONDENCE, 

AND FROM 

OTHER AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS. 
BY THE REV. JOHN LANCASTER. 



" My own heart has been so much ediried and animated by what I 
have read in the memoirs of persons who have been eminent for wisdom 
and piety, that I cannot but wish the treasure may be more increased , 
and I would hope that the world may gather the like valuable fruits 
from the Life I am now attempting." Doddridge. 



PUBLISHED BY LANE & TIPPETT, 

FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET. 



JOSEPH LONOKING, PRINTER. 
1848. 



CONTENTS TO LADY MAXWELL. 



Page 
Preface 5 

Chapter I. — Preliminary observations — Lady Maxwell's birth, pa- 
rentage, and education — She removes to Edinburgh ; to London — 
Returns to Scotland — Is married to Sir Walter Maxwell — Death of 
Sir Walter and infant son — She becomes penitent — Corresponds 
with Mr. Wesley — Joins his society — Obtains mercy ... 9 

Chapter II. — Lady Maxwell's love of retirement — From her youth 
and elevated rank exposed to temptation and danger — Relinquishes 
her gay acquaintances — Connection with Lady Glenorchy — They 
differ in religious sentiment, but continue united in affection — Ac- 
count of Lady H. Hope— The manner in which Lady Maxwell 
spent her time — Her love to the means of grace — Constant thirst 
for full salvation 30 

Chapter III. 1768. — Advantages of autobiography — Lady Max- 
well's diary 40 

Chapter IV. 1769. — Lady Maxwell's diary continued - - - 43 

Chapter V. 1770. — Lady Maxwell establishes a school at Edin- 
burgh — Retires to Saughton-hall — Has the gospel preached in her 
house — Diary continued 50 

Chapter VI. 1771. — Lady Maxwell's diary continued - - - 59 

Chapter VII. 1772. — Remarks on the duty of fasting — On the sa- 
crament of the Lord's supper — The manner in which it is admi- 
nistered in Scotland — Diary continued 69 

Chapter VIII. 1773.— Diary continued - - 82 

Chapter IX. 1774. — Remarks on Providence — Diary continued - 93 

Chapter X. 1775.— Diary continued 105 

Chapter XI. 1776. — Diary continued 119 

Chapter XII. 1777. — Diary continued 135 

Chapter XIII. 1778. — Diary continued 143 

Chapter XIV. 1779. — Diary continued 151 

Chapter XV. 1780. — Lady Maxwell's correspondence with Lady 
Henrietta Hope 161 

Chapter XVI. 1781. — Correspondence with Lady Hope — Miss 
Ritchie — The Hon. Miss Napier — Reflections on temptations — 
Diary continued 184 

Chapter XVII. 1782.— Correspondence with Lady Hope — Diary 
continued 198 

Chapter XVIII. 1783. — Diary and correspondence continued - 204 

Chapter XIX. 1784. — Diary and correspondence continued • - 215 



4 CONTENTS TO LADY MAXWELL. 

Page 
Chapter XX. 1785. — Diary and correspondence continued - - 223 

Chapter XXI. 1786.— Death of the Ladies Hope and Glenorchy — 
Lady Maxwell appointed executrix of the latter — Visits England — 
Meets with the Rev. Alexander Mather — Character of— Corre- 
spondence with him, and the Rev. C. Atmore 232 

Chapter XXII. 1787. — Difference of opinion entertained by Chris- 
tians on the nature and extent of salvation — Lady Maxwell's sen- 
timents on this subject — Attains full salvation — Her views with 
regard to the Trinity — She establishes Sabbath-day schools — Cor- 
responds with Miss Ritchie, Mr. Mather, and Mr. Atmore - - 244 

Chapter XXIII. 1788.— Particulars respecting Hope Chapel- 
Lady Maxwell visits Bristol — Forms an intimacy with Mrs. E. 
Johnson — Short account of — Correspondence continued - - 267 

Chapter XXIV. 1789. — Lady Maxwell's multifarious engagements 
— Diary continued — Again visits Bristol — Meets with many per- 
plexities respecting Hope Chapel 280 

Chapter XXV. 1790. — Correspondence resumed with Mr. Mather, 
Mrs. Johnson, and Miss Ritchie — Lady Maxwell visits Carlisle, 
Wigton, and Workington 285 

Chapter XXVI. 1791.— Death of the Rev. John Wesley— Lady 
Maxwell again visits Bristol — Fresh difficulties at Hope Chapel — 
Change in the mode of conducting public worship — Correspondence 
continued 294 

Chapter XXVII. 1792. — Diary and correspondence continued - 303 

Chapter XXVIII. 1793. — State of the nation at this period — Spread 
of infidelity — War proclaimed with France — Meetings for prayer 
among Christians — Diary and correspondence continued - - 310 

Chapter XXIX. 1794. — Diary and correspondence continued - 319 

Chapter XXX. 1795. — Diary and correspondence continued - 327 

Chapter XXXI. 1796. — Diary and correspondence continued - 334 

Chapter XXXII. 1797. — Diary and correspondence continued - 341 

Chapter XXXIII. 1798. — Diary and correspondence continued - 351 

Chapter XXXIV. 1799.— Diary and correspondence continued - 361 

Chapter XXXV. 1800. — Diary and correspondence continued - 369 

Chapter XXXVI. 1801-3. — Lady Maxwell's experience attains a 
greater uniformity — Diary continued 376 

Chapter XXXVII. 1804-7.— Diary continued - - - - 382 

Chapter XXXVIII. 1808-10.— Lady Maxwell's diary concluded 
— Her last illness and death — Letter on, by the Hon. Miss Napier — 
Inscription on monumental tablet - ----- 389 

Lady Maxwell's character • 397 



PREFACE TO LADY MAXWELL. 



Eleven years have nearly elapsed, since the pious writer of 
the following papers exchanged mortality for eternal life. It was 
generally known by her intimate friends that she had left to pos- 
terity a record of the gracious dealings of God toward her ; and 
it was sanguinely hoped that this record would soon be given to 
the religious world. These hopes, however, were destined for a 
season to undergo a painful disappointment. Lady Maxwell had 
intrusted her papers to the care of the honourable Miss Napier, 
with a solemn injunction that after her ladyship's decease they 
should be transmitted to one of the Wesleyan ministers ; but she 
neither specified any individual, nor fixed on any particular period 
when this obligation should be discharged. Thus a liberty seemed 
to be allowed for the exercise of choice and discretion ; and a 
delay in delivering up the manuscripts was the too natural con- 
sequence. The feelings, also, were deeply interested in this 
delay. Miss N. had long been an inmate in the house of 
her illustrious relative ; had enjoyed the benefit of her pious 
counsel, holy example, and fervent prayers ; and when left to 
lament her loss, felt an almost idolatrous attachment to every 
thing in her possession which had belonged to her departed friend. 
This attachment was frequently assigned to the editor as the 
principal, if not the only reason for the detention of these papers : 
for, though Miss N. readily acknowledged that her ladyship's 
injunction was, on her part, binding, and determined to obey it ; 
yet she indulged a desire to retain the valuable deposit until the 
period of her own dissolution. 

Six years passed away and nothing had, as yet^ appeared to 
gratify the ardent expectation of her ladyship's numerous friends, 
when the Rev. W. Atherton, a gentleman who had been honoured 
with a personal acquaintance, yielding to frequent and earnest 
solicitations, attempted " A Sketch of the Life and Character of 
Lady Maxwell." This valuable memoir was first published in, 
the Methodist Magazine in the latter end of the year 1816. Its 
author, considering he had to lament the want of original docu- 
ments, has certainly delineated the exalted character with great 
fidelity ; and, though he regretted the want of " a master's hand," 
has executed his task in a manner highly honourable to himself. 
A great part of this memoir, which, with a few omissions, after- 
ward appeared in a respectable Scottish monthly publication, has 
been introduced into the present work. 

Still more recently, even while the editor was preparing these 
volumes for the press, a work entitled " A Christian Sketch of 
Lady Maxwell," was announced to the public. This, at first, 



6 PREFACE TO LADY MAXWELL. 

excited in his mind a degree of curiosity. He hoped, however, 
that additional information would thus be communicated, which 
might enable him to illustrate more fully those manuscripts which 
were then passing under his review ; and he, of coure, eagerly 
procured the work. Happily for him, he was already in posses- 
sion of ample materials, or his mortification, like that of many 
others, must have been great. He found this " Christian Sketch," 
though coming before the public under the disguised pretension 
of an original work, little more than a mangled, unfair, and, in 
his estimation, very disingenuous reprint of the memoir to which 
he has already alluded. 

It was during the editor's residence in Edinburgh that he be- 
came personally acquainted with Miss Napier, and the acquaint- 
ance had not long been formed before he was requested to visit 
her, on a sick and dying bed. It was then he first learned the 
nature of that engagement into which she had entered, and re- 
ceived from her repeated assurances that it should be sacredly 
regarded. After a tedious and painful affliction, she was removed 
by death ; and the manuscripts with which she had been intrusted, 
were, by her appointment, presented to the editor in the most 
obliging manner. These included her ladyship's diary, and the 
letters addressed to Lady Hope. For most of the other letters 
he is indebted to the kindness of Mrs. Mortimer, formerly Miss 
Ritchie, one of her ladyship's correspondents. 

On the nature of Lady Maxwell's writings, it is now unneces- 
sary for him to give an opinion ; but he may, perhaps, be indulged 
to state the principle by which he has been chiefly guided, in 
making the present selection. The Diary included a period of 
forty-two years, and extended over two thousand three hundred 
quarto pages, closely written ; and the letters in his possession 
amounted to nearly three hundred. The limits to which the pub- 
lication was confined, would admit but a very scanty portion of 
the originals ; yet he hoped that, with care, such a selection 
might be made, as should leave on the reader's mind, the same 
impressions of her ladyship's experience and character, as would 
have been produced by the perusal of the whole. To this, with 
him a primary object, he has paid the most scrupulous attention. 
It was also in accordance with this principle, that he determined 
to regulate the arrangement of the papers, as much as possible, 
in strictly chronological order. Besides, as the principle involved 
an endeavour to present her ladyship's character and conduct 
under every shade of difference, the reader's pleasure and profit 
were thus consulted, by securing to the selection the greatest 
possible variety. 

With her ladyship's style, the editor has indulged no liberty, 
but such as must be found necessary in all posthumous works, 
which have not received the finishing polish of the author's own 
hand. 



PREFACE TO LADY MAXWELL. 7 

Though he wished to avoid all unnecessary obtrusion of him- 
self on the attention of the reader — a thing quite unpardonable 
while in company with Lady Maxwell — yet he has, where neces- 
sity or propriety seemed to demand it, offered a few occasional 
remarks, which he trusts will be found to give an additional in- 
terest to these volumes. 

The benefit to be derived from a serious perusal of works like 
the present, has been amply described by pious writers of differ- 
ent denominations ; and it certainly augurs well of the present 
state of the religious world, that the demand for Christian bio- 
graphy is on the increase. Such writings, indeed, are peculiarly 
interesting. They unfold to us the secrets of other hearts, and 
thus qualify us to commune more profitably with our own : — 
" they increase our stock of facts with regard to the human mind, 
and powerfully promote our advancement in one of the most use- 
ful branches of knowledge — the knowledge of man :" — they 
enable us to trace the sublime march of an immortal and re- 
deemed spirit, through the intricacies and dangers of this land of 
peril, to the kingdom of our heavenly Father : — they evince the 
efficacy of grace — they publish the triumphs of faith, the pleasures 
of devotion, the truth of the promises, the faithfulness of God : — 
they especially tend to elevate our hopes ; give a higher and bet- 
ter tone to our feelings, and with a sweet constraining influence 
stimulate to high and laudable endeavours. 

These are assuredly desirable objects. Are we not all in 
danger of grovelling too much in the mud and mire of this world's 
concerns ? Is there not too much reason to fear, that unjust 
and unworthy notions of the efficacy of the atonement, and of the 
believer's privileges, are extensively prevalent 1 Professors, in 
general, are consequently resting satisfied with comparatively 
low and inferior attainments. Thus many, who ought to mani- 
fest the vigour and stability of fathers, continue to exhibit all the 
weakness of infancy, or all the inconstancy of youth. These 
volumes, it is confidently hoped, will be found calculated, by the 
blessing of God, to inspire more exalted views and expectations; 
and especially aid in the important duties of the closet : — by 
leading the reader to habits of self-inspection ; by laying open to 
him the recesses of his own heart ; by enabling him to detect 
the devices of his spiritual adversaries ; by teaching him the 
nature and advantages of faith ; and, by encouraging him to ex- 
pect the operation of God the Spirit on his soul : he will thus 
be prepared for the fervours of devotion, become qualified to 
" worship God in the Spirit," be determined to follow the Lord 
fully, and go from his private sanctuary strengthened for the dis- 
charge of the varied duties of his high and honourable calling. 

Though Lady Maxwell was decided in her own religious views, 
she cheerfully gave the right hand of fellowship to all who love 
our Lord Jesus Christ, When times and seasons seemed either 



8 PREFACE TO LADY MAXWELL. 

to justify or demand it, she did not hesitate firmly to avow her 
principles : but she was never fond of controversy : — and she 
greatly lamented that Christians should suffer any nonessential 
points of difference to diminish their affection for one another, or 
to destroy that union and co-operation which should ever subsist 
among them. The editor trusts he has been influenced by the 
same spirit : — he has fearlessly stated facts, but he wished to 
avoid all contentious disputation. The religious sentiments of 
her ladyship are now fairly submitted to the candid investigation 
of the religious public ; and certainly these can be no farther 
important than as they accord with the infallible standard of 
truth : but for piety to God — for benevolence to man — for dead- 
ness to the world — and for her strenuous endeavours to promote 
the interest of Sion, and the salvation of souls, Lady Maxwell's 
example may be safely recommended as worthy the imitation of 
all who are seeking for glory, immortality, and eternal life. 

The Editor. 
Brompton, Kent, March 6, 1821. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 



CHAPTER I. 

Preliminary observations — Lady Maxwell's birth, parentage, and educa- 
tion — She removes to Edinburgh ; to London — Returns to Scotland — Is 
married to Sir Walter Maxwell — Death of Sir Walter and infant son — 
She becomes penitent — Corresponds with Mr. Wesley — Joins his society 
— Obtains mercy. 

The design of Christianity is to raise the soul of man to a 
participation of the divine nature. As it came from God, so it 
leads to God. It is a beam, shining forth from the Deity him- 
self, to irradiate that path which conducts to immortal life. In 
its adaptation to secure this object, we perceive the depths of 
the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of its divine 
Author. It finds man enveloped with darkness, and translates 
him into marvellous light : — it finds him guilty, and points him to 
the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world : — it 
finds him depraved and miserable, and directs him to a fountain 
open for sin and uncleanness. By the evidences of its divinity — 
the sublimity of its doctrines — the efficacy of its atonement — the 
purity and benevolence of its precepts — the energy of its motives 
— and the glory of its rewards — the understanding is enlightened, 
the judgment convinced, and the noblest affections of the soul 
called into exercise. But this divine system demands from man, 
would he enjoy the blessings it offers to communicate, some- 
thing more than mere speculation. It requires, not only his pro- 
found attention and admiration, but also his implicit credence 
and cheerful acquiescence ; not only the homage of the under- 
standing, but also the willing sacrifice of the heart It is, when 
he makes an unreserved surrender of himself to its guidance 
and authority ; when he hastens, as a conscious sinner, to shelter 
himself under the wings of the atonement ; and yields to its 
purifying spirit, that it conducts him onward to the possession 
of certain and unfading bliss. Then it is the gospel comes to 
him, not " in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy 
Ghost, and in much assurance ;" " casting down imaginations, 
and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of 
God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience 
of Christ :" then it is that grace ascends the throne of the 
heart, and there reigns " through righteousness unfb eternal life, 
by Jesus Christ our Lord." He now " worships God in the 
Spirit, rejoiceth in Christ Jesus, and has no confidence in the 
flesh." 

I* 



10 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

" The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteous- 
ness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." The important 
distinction between a religion merely external and formal, and 
that which has its seat in the heart, is vital in its principles, 
and purifying in its tendencies, cannot be too frequently nor too 
closely pressed upon the attention. The necessity of the latter 
should be clearly stated ; its nature and effects should be con- 
stantly held up to view. In the ministry of the Saviour, and 
his immediate successors in the sacred office, we find a perpe- 
tual recurrence to these topics ; they hold a prominence which 
cannot be overlooked but by the most careless observers. In 
the succeeding ages of the church, just in proportion as a faith 
working by love and purifying the heart has been insisted on, 
genuine Christianity has prevailed, adorning the life with the 
fruits of righteousness, and stretching over the habitation of mor- 
tals a glory and defence. Secure purity of heart, and recti- 
tude of conduct will follow. Make the tree good, and the fruit 
also will be good. On this foundation alone must rest all rational 
hopes of a morality at once pure, benevolent, and disinterest- 
ed ; and to attain all these important results there must be a liv- 
ing union with Jesus: — "Abide in me, and I in you. As the 
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine ; no 
more can ye, except ye abide in me." 

These vital principles of the religion of the Son of God, per- 
haps, never more successfully unfold themselves to the atten- 
tion of mankind than when their energies are displayed in the 
actual experience, enjoyments, and doings of eminent Christians. 
These, while living, are lights to the world, shedding a radiance 
on all within the sphere of their action. Their example is at 
once lovely, and powerfully influential ; and, though dead, many 
of them continue to speak. By the pious records they have left 
behind they set forth the power of divine grace, in first sub- 
jugating their own hearts ; and then, in leading them forward, 
from the joys of conquest, to the possession of an eternal crown. 
They beckon to posterity to follow them as they followed Christ. 
By publishing their errors, they warn of danger ; by telling of 
their conflicts, they summon still contending champions to gird 
on the whole armour of God ; by recording the trophies they 
have won, they unfurl the banners of the cross; and proclaim, 
as with shouts of triumph, certain victory to all who continue 
faithful unto death. 

On these and other accounts, it is conceived, such records of 
the divine goodness should rarely, if ever, be suffered to remain 
in the shades, of oblivion. They are as so many monuments, 
erected to the praise and glory of God ; they are calculated to 
be extensively beneficial to men ; they afford instruction, in one 
of its most pleasing forms, on subjects of the highest import to 
every candidate for immortality. Indeed the charms of biogra- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 11 

phy have long been both felt and acknowledged. We follow the 
statesman, the poet, the historian, the philosopher, along their 
short career of hard-earned fame, with peculiar interest, and 
each in his place may teach us some useful lesson. But, while 
we linger here, our views and our gratifications are all confined 
within the narrow limits of this transitory world. Our admira- 
tion may be excited as we gaze on the laurels so nobly won, 
and so gratefully entwined : but little, if any thing, is taught us 
that stands immediately connected with the welfare of the soul 
or with a preparation for a coming eternity. And yet, while 
contemplating the illustrious achievements of the " mighty dead," 
we cannot escape the conviction that all the enjoyments and 
gratifications allied to earth are hastening to an end ; we cannot 
but feel a desire to learn how to secure joys lasting as our na- 
ture — durable as the throne of the eternal. Christian biogra- 
phy, then, has this superior claim upon our attention; it teaches 
us not only how to live, but also hoiv to die, not only how to acquire 
the most valuable acquisitions for time, but also how to secure 
the endless felicities of eternity. Under these impressions, the 
editor entertains a confident hope that the following memorial 
will be read with lasting benefit by many, and thus ultimately 
redound to the glory of God. 

Lady Maxwell's maiden name was Darcy Brisbane. She was 
the youngest daughter of the late Thomas Brisbane, Esq., of 
Brisbane, in the county of Ayr, and parish of Largs.* It does 
not appear that there was any thing in Miss D. Brisbane's child- 
hood indicative of her future distinguished eminence in piety. To 
the drawings of the Father, the teachings of the Spirit, and 
the first influences of grace, she remained inattentive ; and, 
during the early years of her life, was an entire stranger to all 
painful apprehensions arising from a consciousness of guilt. 
She was, indeed, from a child distinguished by a feeling, hu- 
mane, and charitable disposition. In after life she would often 
mention the high degree of pleasure which she had enjoyed, even 
at that early period, in relieving the necessities of the poor, and, 
on some occasions, in taking off part of her own clothes to cover 
the shivering limbs of poor children. This, however, as she was 
accustomed to observe, arose from the mere impulse of gene- 
rous feeling, not being the effect of religious principle. She had 
not as yet any conviction, that a benevolence like this is the im- 
perative duty of every Christian. In those charities she had no 
reference to the glory of God : but the sympathies of her nature 
were thus gratified, and therefore she loved to indulge them. 
In the subsequent periods of her history, when her mind was 

* The family of Brisbane is of considerable antiquity. The present 
descendants are in possession of an elbow chair made of oak, having the 
family arms, with the date 1357, carved on the back. — Guide through 
Scotland, vol. i, p. 257. 



12 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

enlightened, and her heart purified through obedience to the truth ; 
this amiable disposition, invigorated by the principles, and guid- 
ed by the precepts of the gospel, will be seen putting forth all 
its energies to diminish, as much as possible, the general mass 
of human wretchedness. 

Miss Brisbane received the first rudiments of an education, 
suited to her prospects in life, under the paternal roof; which 
was afterward matured and completed in that seat of every men- 
tal accomplishment, the city of Kdinburgh. While she remain- 
ed here, nothing particular occurred which has been recorded ; 
only, that she was remarkable for quickness of mind, a high sense 
of propriety of conduct, and a peculiar elevation of spirit. From 
Edinburgh she removed to London, for the purpose of being pre- 
sented at court, and was thus introduced into the first circles of 
rank and fashion. During her stay in London, she lived with Lord 
and Lady Lothian, the marchioness of Lothian being her aunt. 
Her residence in the southern metropolis was, however, but for 
a short season ; the marchioness, who was a pious lady, was 
soon called to her reward ; and on this event, Miss B. returned 
to her native land. One circumstance, which occurred while she 
remained in London, and which often afterward affected her 
mind with wonder and joy, is worthy of being noticed. Being 
then about sixteen years of age, she went down to a small villa 
in the neighbourhood of London which belonged to her uncle. — 
While walking one day in the garden, the gardener, encouraged 
by her serious, interesting appearance, came up to her, and with 
all humility addressing her, stated the deep distress of soul un- 
der which he then laboured in consequence of sin ; and in effect 
inquired, " What must T do to be saved V The young lady was 
affected on witnessing his sorrow, and such directions and en- 
couragements were given in the way of reply as were the means, 
under God, of leading the poor inquirer to a knowledge of the 
Saviour. He immediately exchanged the " spirit of heaviness " 
for " the garment of praise," and went on his way exulting in 
the God of his salvation. Thus "out of the mouths of babes 
and sucklings God ordaineth strength ;" for this, as Lady M — 
used to observe, happened at a time when she was as ignorant of 
the truth, and of the meaning of the words she had employed, 
as the ground on which she stood. 

Soon after her return from London, she entered into the mar- 
riage state with Sir Walter Maxwell, Bart., of Pollock.* This 
union was much to her mind, and seemed, for a time, to open 
wide fields of worldly enjoyment to her visionary fancy and 

* The immediate ancestor of this great branch [the Maxwells of Pol- 
lock] of ihe most noble family of Nithsdale was Homerus de Maxwell, 
lord of Carlaverock ; who lived in the roigns of King Alexander the 2d 
and 3d. He married Mary, daughter and heiress of Roland de Mearnes, 
with whom lie got a grrat accession to his estate in the west of Scotland, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 13 

aspiring hopes. But this vision of earthly bliss was soon ended, 
and appeared shorter than the last watch of the night. In little 
more than two years she was deprived of her husband by death ; 
and in six weeks after, of her son and only child ; and thus was 
left a widow at nineteen years of age. This painful dispensation 
of Providence, by which the Lord left no rival to dispute his 
claim to the sole empire of her affection, was sanctified by his 
grace to the salvation of her soul. For, finding by experience 
how soon those sources may be dried up, from which misjudg- 
ing mortals calculate on drawing their earthly delights, Darcy 
Lady Maxwell's mind was thence led to seek its rest in God, 
making the Author of her being the fountain of her enjoyment. 
But as she was never known to mention her husband, nor yet her 
child, after their death ; and as her conversion to God was close- 
ly connected with those events, to learn the particulars of that 
important change became a delicate subject of inquiry, and to 
which she would never advert but with reluctance and brevity. 
To her most intimate friend, she has been known to remark in 
one short sentence : "God brought me to himself by afflictions /" 
The following extract from her diary, as it affectingly alludes to 
those painful privations, and more fully illustrates the early stages 
of her religious experience than any other part of her writings, 
shall be here inserted, though not strictly in chronological order. 
It is dated — 

" Sept. 3, 1772. This morning the Lord collected my thoughts, 
and fixed my mind in meditation upon his dealings with me ever 
since I was a child. And O, what abundant matter did I re- 
collect, calculated to excite my wonder, gratitude, and love. 
How has he from my earliest days hedged up my path. "When 
following the dictates of Satan and my own wicked heart, he, 
with a strong hand, yet by degrees, rescued me from the ways 
of the destroyer. He gradually enlightened my mind, showed 
me the evil of sin, and gave me ardent desires after moral rec- 
titude. Then he caused the sun of prosperity to shine resplen- 

viz., the lands or baronies of Mearns, Nether Pollock, Dryps, Calder- 
wood, &c., &c. 

Sir Walter Maxwell was the second son of John Maxwell, of Blanar- 
hill, who, upon the death of Sir John Maxwell of Pollock, succeeded to 
his estate and honours, and was fourth baronet of Pollock. — Vide Douglas' 
Baronage, p. 450-452. 

For the origin, grandeur, and antiquity of the great and illustrious name 
of Maxwell, vide Douglas' 1 Peerage, p. 514. 

The editor regrets that he has not been able to ascertain the exact dates 
of either her ladyship's birth or marriage. The records of the church at 
Largs were carefully searched by a friend, but no register of these events 
could be met with ; owing, as it is supposed, to a volume of these records 
being rither mislaid or lost. Calculating, however, from highly probable 
data, her ladyship appears to have been born about the year 1742 — to have 
married in 1759 — became a widow in 1701 — and died in 1810, aged 68. 



14 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

dent upon me, and gave me to taste of what the world calls hap- 
piness, — the possession of riches, honour, and pleasure. But 
he saw I could not bear this, and therefore, with a hand gra- 
ciously s'frr. tore all from me, until the language of my poor 
heart, almost callous with reiterated strokes of his rod, was — 
' Fate, drop the curtain ; I can lose no more' 

I did not then know that the thoughts of my God toward me, 
even in these dispensations of almost unmingled wo, were 
thoughts of peace, and not of evil. Having thus brought me 
into the wilderness, he spoke comfortably to me ; drew me with 
the cords of love, with the bands of a man ; taught me, as I 
could bear them, the lessons of his grace ; he informed my judg- 
ment, but first affected my heart. Without this, I should have 
gone heavily on, if at all. The passions, under proper regula- 
tions, answer a noble end in religion. All the rational informa- 
tion and conviction the mind of man is capable of receiving, 
would, I think, effect but little without the aid of these warm 
auxiliaries. With me, the Lord made them mutually to assist 
each other ; and by the effectual operations of his Holy Spirit 
upon both, clearly convinced me of my original pollution in con- 
sequence of Adam's sin ; and of my guilt, in consequence of my 
accumulated transgressions ; whereby I must have remained for 
ever miserable, without a saving interest in Christ. Yet in this 
wretched state I had little, if any, of those dreadful terrors of 
hell and damnation which many experience. The Lord so tem- 
pered judgment with mercy, that I was rather drawn than driven ; 
and generally was supported and often comforted, with hopes 
of obtaining all that was necessary for happiness. He gave me 
line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a 
little ; till, at last, having feared God for some years, the Sun of 
righteousness arose upon my soul with healing in his wings. 
He dispelled the cloud, removed condemnation, and for great 
bitterness gave sweet peace ; ' the law of the Spirit of life in 
Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and death.' — 
And then, O my God, 

" ' My chains fell, my heart was free, 
I rose, went forth, and follow'd thee !' " 

The latter part of this valuable extract anticipates a period in 
Lady Maxwell's experience to which the reader has not as vet 
been gradually conducted ; some intermediate stages may yet 
be traced. The passage is here adduced chiefly to show that it 
was in the school of painful bereavement she was first taught 
the comparative emptiness of all worldlv good, and led to seek 
for a felicity at once pure, substantial, and permanent. Thus is 
Providence, in its varied events, rendered subservient to the pur- 
poses of grace, and one of the means of salvation : — thus are 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 15 

our greatest trials proved to be but disguised blessings, and from 
the most deadly bitters in this world are extracted immortal 
sweets. By afflictions sanctified, the mind is humbled and the 
will bent ; our strong grasp of the world is broken ; the vanity 
of its enjoyments, and their insufficiency to meet the wants of 
the mind, are fully displayed. By afflictions the heart is ofteh 
softened, and opened for the admission of truth, and disposed to 
seek a portion above. Seasons of affliction ought, therefore, to 
be improved, both in respect of ourselves and others — in the 
former, as affording a mean of getting good — and in the latter, 
as furnishing an advantageous season of being useful to others. 
For not Lady Maxwell only, but hundreds in the church militant, 
and thousands in the church triumphant say, " God brought me 
to himself by afflictions." Nor because, in the first instance, 
God has not thundered into the soul terrific peals from Mount 
Horeb, shaking the heart like an earthquake ; nor by the melt- 
ing strains of Zion moved the rock to contrition, are we thence 
to question the reality of conviction of sin, nor the genuineness 
of conversion to God. For these afflictions are useful only as 
they drive or draw us to that gospel which is full of Christ, and 
hence is " the power of God unto salvation." 

It was while Lady Maxwell remained the child of sorrow, that 
she became acquainted with that part of the church of Christ 
with which she was afterward associated, and of which she re- 
mained a distinguished and useful member until she was united 
to the church of the first-born. The inducing circumstances 
which first led to this union are at present but indistinctly known ; 
a few principal and well known facts may be mentioned. " The 
ministry of the Rev. John Wesley and of the Rev. George White- 
field was, at that time, generally approved in Scotland, and their 
congregations, wherever they went, were large and respectable. 
The ministers also in connection with the former had attained a 
degree of popularity, and were made the honoured instruments 
in the conversion of many souls. Nor were their acceptance 
and usefulness confined to the lower or middle classes of the 
community ; for ministers of the Establishment and members of 
the university, persons of rank and title, were found mingled in 
their audiences. And it is probable that some of those pious 
nobles who were among the admirers of Wesley and Whitefield, 
were the instruments of first bringing Lady Maxwell to the Wes- 
leyan chapel." 

But leaving what is only conjectural, it appears certain that 
she became personally acquainted with Mr. Wesley in the year 
1764. At this early period a mutual attachment was formed, 
which continued steady and unabated until his spirit returned to 
Grod ; and in its results, doubtless, tended in a measure to regu- 
late her views, and to guide her determinations throughout the 
whole remainder of her life. On referring to Mr. Wesley's 



16 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

journal, we find him preaching at Edinburgh, May 27th, of the 
above year, and after visiting Elgin, Aberdeen, and other places 
in the north, he returned to the metropolis on the 16th of June, 
and again preached to very large congregations, both on the 
CaltOD II ill. and in the high-school yard. (Wesley's Works, vol. 
iv, p. 179.) Four days after this, Mr. Wesley wrote to her 
ladyship the following letter, and a regular correspondence now 
commenced. As Mr. Wesley's letters (Wesley's Works, vol. 
vii, p. 15) tend to develope the state of her mind at this period, 
and contain important instruction, there need be no apology for 
the appearance of a few of them in this place. 

" Newcastle-upon-Tyne, June 20, 1764. 
" Will it be agreeable to my dear Lady Maxwell that I trouble 
her with a letter so soon 1 And that I write with so little cere- 
mony ? That I use no compliment, but all plainness of speech ? 
If it be not, you must tell me so, and I shall know better how to 
speak for the time to come. Indeed it would be unpleasing 
to me to use reserve : the regard I feel for you strongly inclines 
me to ' think aloud,' to tell you every thought which rises in my 
heart. I think God has taken unusual pains, so to speak, to 
make you a Christian : a Christian, in deed, (not in name,) wor- 
shipping God in spirit and in truth : having in you the mind that 
was in Christ, and walking as Christ also walked. He has 
given you affliction upon affliction ; he has used every possible 
means to unhinge your soul from the things of earth, that it 
might fix on him alone. How far the design of his love has 
succeeded, I could not well judge from a short conversation. 
Your ladyship will therefore give me leave to inquire, Is the 
heaviness you frequently feel merely owing to weakness of body, 
and the loss of near relations ? I will hope it is not. It might, in- 
deed, at first spring from these outward pressures. But did not 
the gracious Spirit of God strike in and take occasion from these 
to convince you of sin, of unbelief, of the want of Christ ? And 
is not the want of this one great cause, if not the greatest, of 
your present distress 1 If so the greatest danger is, either that 
you should stifle that conviction, not suffering yourself to be con- 
vinced that you are all sin, the chief of sinners; or, that you 
should lieal the wound slightly, that you should r<fst before you 
know Christ is yours, before his Spirit witnesses with your spirit 
that you are a child of God. My dear lady, be not afraid to 
know yourself; yea, to know yourself as you are known. How 
soon then will you know your Advocate with the Father, Jesus 
Christ the righteous ! And why not this day 1 Why not this 
hour if you feel your want ! I beseech the God and Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, to look upon you now! give thy ser- 
vant power to believe ; to see and feel how thou hast loved her ! 
Now let her sink down into the arms of thy love, and say unto 
her soul, ' I am thv salvation ' 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 17 

*' With regard to particular advices, I know not how far your 
ladyship would have me to proceed. I would not be backward to 
do any thing in my power ; and yet I would not obtrude. But 
in any respect you may command, my dear lady, your ladyship's 
affectionate servant, J. Wesley." 

The above letter appears to have been written at the request 
of Lady Maxwell. In her reply, she had evidently opened her 
mind to this eminent minister of Christ with frankness and can- 
dour. This produced the following, from which it may be safely 
inferred she had not yet attained redemption in the blood of 
Jesus ; but saw her need, and was seeking for it with increasing 
ardour, though not perhaps in the way of simple faith. 

" Manchester, July 10, 1764. 

" My Dear Lady, — Till I had the pleasure of receiving yours, 
1 was almost in doubt whether you would think it worth your 
while to write or not. So much the more I rejoiced when the 
doubt was removed in so agreeable a manner. I cannot but think 
of you often : I seem to see you just by me, panting after God, 
under the heavy pressure of bodily weakness and faintness, be- 
reaved of your dearest relatives, convinced that you are a sinner, 
a debtor that has nothing to pay, and just ready to cry out, 

' Jesus, now I've lost my all, 
Let me on thy bosom fall.' 

" Amen, Lord Jesus ! Speak, for thy servant heareth ! Speak 
thyself into her heart ! Lift up the hands that hang down, and 
the feeble knees. Let her see thee full of grace and truth, and 
make her glad with the light of thy countenance ! 

" Do not stop, my dear lady, one moment, because you have 
not felt sorrow enough. Your friend above has felt enough 
of it for you : 

1 O Lamb of God, was ever pain, 
Was ever love like thine.' 

Look, look unto him, and be thou saved ! He is not a God far 
off. He is now hovering over you with eyes of tenderness and 
love ! Only believe. Then he turns your heaviness into joy. 
Do not think you are not humble enough, not contrite enough, 
not earnest enough. You are nothing : but Christ is all. And 
he is yours ! The Lord God write it upon your heart, and take 
you for a habitation of God through the Spirit. 

" O that you may be ever as dead to the world as you are now. 
I apprehend the greatest danger from that quarter. If you should 
be induced to seek happiness out of Christ, how soon would your 
good desires vanish ! Especially, if you should give way to the 
temptation, to which your person, your youth, and your fortune 
will not fail to expose you. If you escape this snare I trust you 
will be a real Christian, having the power as well as the form 



18 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

of religion. I expect you will then have likewise better health 
and spirits : perhaps to-morrow. But 0, take Christ to-day ! I 
long to have you happy in him ! Surely few have a more earnest 
desire of your happiness than, my very dear lady, your lady- 
ship's most affectionate servant, J. Wesley.*' 

The nature and progress of Lady Maxwell's experience may 
be farther gathered from a covenant with God, into which she 
now entered, and afterward renewed at different times during a 
succession of years. The practice of covenanting with God 
must be acknowledged to be very ancient, and, as it has a scrip- 
tural warrant, a divine sanction, so its utility has frequently been 
proved both by individuals and collective bodies of Christians. 
That which is here copied is dated August 9th, 1764, and is as 
follows : — 

" I am this day renewing a covenant made with God in Janu- 
ary, 1762, but never written until now. Lord, help me in this 
great work. It is in the view of thy great strength alone that I 
am attempting it, being altogether unable in myself to vow unto 
thee or to perform. Yet I would, in obedience to thy command, 
lay hold on thy strength, that I may be able to make peace with 
thee ; and, blessed be thy great name, thou hast said that such 
shall make peace with thee. Isa. xxvii, 5. If thou, Lord, wilt 
manifest thy dear Son to me, clear up my evidence of my interest 
in him, shed abroad his love at all times in my heart, and let me 
feel him ever drawing me to himself with the cords of love, and 
with the bands of a man, and in times of trial make his strength 
perfect in my weakness, and not desert me in duty nor in tempta- 
tion ; if thou, Lord, wilt do these great things for me, then, in 
thy strength, I give myself unto thee, soul, body, and spirit, in 
the bonds of an everlasting covenant never to be forgotten. 
Despairing in myself, I flee to the great refuge set before me, 
Jesus Christ the righteous, desiring to accept of him as my Pro- 
phet, my Priest, and my King. I give up my heart wholly to 
him, earnestly praying that he may empty it of sin and vanity, 
and fill it with his immortal Self, that he at all times may be the 
object of my warmest wishes. ] engage, Lord, if thou wilt give 
me thy strength, ever to espouse thy cause and interest in the 
world, however it may be despised ; and to esteem thy reproach 
more than fine gold. 

1 No cross, no suffering I decline. 
Only make my heart all thine !' 

" But, Lord, if thou dost not that, I shall fall a prey to every 
temptation, and so perish ; for thou knowest the deceitfulness of 
my heart, and how hardened it is by sin, so that nothing but thy 
love can allure it. But, Lord, as thou art in Christ reconciling 
the world to thyself, I believe that in him thou art pure, univer- 
sal love ; that thy tenderness to those who are seeking thee 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 19 

through him is inconceivable ; therefore into that ocean of mercy 
I desire to plunge myself. O give me strong faith to lay hold 
on those precious promises which thou hast given, for divine 
teaching, pardon, and sanctification ; and now, Lord, I give my- 
self and my resolutions into thy hand ; do thou make them good, 
and let none pluck them out of thy hand, that I may be thine in 
that day when thou makest up thy jewels. — Signed, Darcy 
Maxwell.'" 

' The parents of Lady Maxwell were members of the Esta- 
blished Church of Scotland : a church which, for its approxima- 
tion to Scripture in its constitution ; the learning, talents, and 
respectability of its ministers ; the extent of information on reli- 
gious subjects among its members, and the general tone of doc- 
trine held forth in it, was, in the opinion of Whitefield, and is, in 
the opinion of many equally unprejudiced and uninterested, the 
best national establishment in the world. In this church Lady 
Maxwell had been educated ; in it she received much spiritual 
profit, from the stated labours of many pious and able ministers 
then resident in Edinburgh ; and continued occasionally to attend 
the ministry of the word, and regularly to communicate with its 
members, to the end of her life." But she possessed a rnind 
superior to party views or party distinctions : her soul was truly 
catholic. She soon began to distinguish between what is merely 
human in the varied /nodes of religion, and what is divine. To 
its circumstantials she was not indifferent, but she attached a 
paramount importance to what is essential. These enlarged and 
benevolent views led her to admire true piety wherever she 
found it, whether within or without the precincts of this or that 
particular denomination ; and to avail herself of every mean 
Providence held out to her for the attainment of this pearl of 
great price. And believing, after mature deliberation, that many 
additional means would be afforded her by forming a closer union 
with that body of Christians in connection with the Rev. John 
Wesley, she about this period became a regular member of his 
society. In doing this, she relinquished no privilege formerly 
enjoyed ; suffered no abatement of attachment to the establish- 
ment of her country ; but continued equally to revere and love 
whatever in it was excellent, and still to the utmost of her power 
afforded, " without partiality," her countenance and aid for the 
furtherance of true religion in every varied department of the 
Church of Christ. On her informing Mr. Wesley of the im- 
portant step she had taken, he sent her the following seasonable 
advice. 

" Sept. 22, 1764. 

" My Dear Lady, — You need be under no manner of appre- 
hension of writing too often to me. The more frequent your 
letters are, the more welcome they will be. When I have not 
heard from you for some time, I begin to be full of fears : I am 



30 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

afraid either that your bodily weakness increases, or that your 
desires after God grow cold. I consider you are at present but 
a tender, sickly plant, easily hurt by any rough blast : but I trust 
this will not be so long : for you have a strong helper. And the 
Lord whom you serve, though feebly and imperfectly, will sud- 
denly come to his temple. When, Lord 1 Are all things ready 
now ! Here is the sinner : one whose mouth is stopped ; who 
has nothing to pay ; who pleads neither her own harmlessness, 
nor works, nor good desires, nor sincerity ; but can adopt that 
strange word, 

' 1 give up every plea beside, 
Lord, I am damn'd ; but thou hast died.' 

He has died ; therefore you shall live, O do not reason against 
him ! Let him take you now ! Let him take you just as you 
are, and make you what is acceptable in his sight. 

" It gives me pleasure indeed to hear that God has given you 
resolution to join the society. Undoubtedly you will suffer re- 
proach on the account, but it is the reproach of Christ. And you 
will have large amends, when the Spirit of glory and of God 
shall rest upon you. Yet I foresee a danger : at first you will 
be inclined to think that all the members of the society are in 
earnest ; and when you find that some aro otherwise, (which will 
always be the case in so large a body of people,) then prejudice 
may easily steal in, and exceedingly weaken your soul. O be- 
ware of this rock of offence. When you see any thing amiss, 
(upon hearsay you will not readily receive it,) remember our 
Lord's word, ' What is that to thee 1 follow thou me.' And I 
entreat you, do not regard the half Methodists, (if we must use 
the name.) Do not mind them who endeavour to hold Christ in 
one hand and the world in the other. I want you to be all a 
Christian ; such a Christian as the Marquis de Renty, or Gregory 
Lopez was! Such a one as that saint of God, Jane Cooper! 
All sweetness, all gentleness, all love ! Methinks you arc just 
what she ivas when I saw her first. I shrink at the thought of 
seeing you what she was when I saw her last.* But why should 
I ? What is all the pain of one that is glorifying God in the 
fires, with ' Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit !' 

" May I not take upon me to give you one advice more 1 be 
very wary how you contract new acquaintance. All, even sin- 
cere people, will not profit you. I should be pained at your con- 
versing frequently with any but those who are of a deeply serious 
spirit, and who speak closely to the point. You need not con- 
demn them, and yet you may say, ' This will not do for me. 1 

" May He that loves you richly supply all your wants, and 
answer your enlarged desires ! So prays, my very dear lady, 
" Your affectionate servant, J. Wesley." 

* An allusion to J. C — 's last illness. She died of the smallpox. — Eix 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 21 

Her ladyship had not, as yet, commenced a regular diary, but 
wrote occasionally, when about to participate of the supper of 
her Lord. A few extracts from these, with Mr. Wesley's cor- 
respondence, will conduct us to the period when she was enabled 
to believe with her heart unto righteousness ; and, consequently, 
obtained "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

In March, 1765, she writes : — " In the view of the sacrament 
to-morrow, I feel an inclination, in the strength of God, to renew 
my former engagements to be the Lord's, being in some degree 
convinced that there is no lasting peace but in his favour, and 
no solid happiness but in his friendship ; both of which I desire 
to believe. Blessed Lord, thou art in mercy offering salvation 
to a lost world, for the sake of thy dear Son, through whom alone 
I would presume to covenant with thee. He hath died, O God, 
and that is my only plea ; reject me not, though in myself only 
fit for hell, but accept of me in the Beloved. O Jesus, undertake 
for me ; make me thine in the bond of an everlasting covenant, 
for I give myself unto thee ; incline my heart unto thee and thy 
ways, and O, seal me thine to-morrow at thy own table. I would 
give up my heart to thee, O take it, reign for ever in it, and sub- 
ject all that is in me to thyself. In time of trial stand by me ; 
sustain me in the path of duty, let me not start aside ; fill me 
with love ; and thine, and only thine, in thy strength I promise 
to be. Signed, D. M." 

On the 23d of April of this year, Mr. Wesley again visited 
Edinburgh in his way to Ireland, and had a short interview with 
her ladyship. This afforded mutual satisfaction. He found her 
steadfast, humble, and contrite, but not yet in possession of peace. 
And it would seem, from the following letter, that his discrimi- 
nating eye had detected in this young disciple the remains of a 
legal spirit. Though she herself might be unconscious of it, 
and certainly it was contrary to her creed, yet he feared she was 
in some measure depending on her own doings for acceptance 
with God. To this danger he was ever sensibly alive, and there- 
fore seized an early opportunity to caution her ladyship against 
it, and to urge her to expect justifying mercy simply by faith, 
through the atoning merit of an all-sufficient Redeemer. Surely 
none who read the following epistles will continue either, to think 
or to insinuate that this venerable minister of the gospel taught 
salvation by the deeds of the law. 

"Londonderry, May 25, 1765. 

" My Dear Lady, — It is not easy for me to express the satis- 
faction I received in the few hours I lately spent with you. Be- 
fore I saw you, I had many fears concerning you, lest your con- 
cern for the one thing should be abated, lest your desires should 
be cooled, or your mind a little hurt, by any of the things which 
have lately occurred.* So much the greater was my joy when 

• Mr. Wesley alludes to the republication of a certain work, which 



22 LIFE OF LADY MaXWELL. 

all those fears were removed : when I found the same openness and 
sweetness as before, both in your spirit and conversation, and 
the same earnestness of desire after the only thing which de- 
serves the whole strength of our affection. I believe tenderness 
and steadiness are seldom planted by nature in one spirit. But 
what is too hard for almighty Grace 1 This can give strength and 
softness together. This is able to fill your soul with all firmness, 
as well as with all gentleness. And hereunto are you called; 
for nothing less than all the mind which was in Christ Jesus. 

" It is with great pleasure that I observed your fixed resolu- 
tion not to rest in any thing short of this. I know not why you 
should : why should you be content with being half a Christian, 
devoted partly to God and partly to the world, or more properly, 
to the devil ! Nay, but let us be all for God ! He has created 
the whole — our whole body, soul, and spirit. He that bought 
us has redeemed the whole : and let him take the purchase of 
his blood! Let him sanctify the whole, that all we have and 
are may be a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving ! 

" I am not afraid of your being satisfied with less than this : 
but I am afraid of your seeking it the wrong way. Here is the 
danger, that you should seek it, not by faith, but, as it were by 
the works of the law. See how exactly the apostle speaks : 
you do not seek it directly, but as it were by works. I fear lest 
this should be your case, which might retard your receiving the 
blessing. Christ has died for you : he has bought pardon for 
you. Why should you not receive it note? while you have this 
paper in your hand 1 Because you have not done thus or thus ? 
See your own works ! Because you are not thus and thus ! More 
contrite? More earnest] More sincere 1 ? See your own righteous- 
ness ! O let it all go! None but Christ ! None but Christ ! And if 
he alone is sufficient — if what he has suffered and done — if his 
blood and righteousness are enough, they are nigh thee; in thy 
mouth and in thy heart ! See, all things are ready ! Do not wait 
for this or that preparation. For something to bring to God ! 
Bring Christ — rather, let him bring you. Bring you home to God ! 
Lord Jesus, take her ! Take her and all her sins ! Take her, as 
she is ! Take her now ! Arise, why tarriest thou ! Wash away 
her sins ! Sprinkle her with thy blood ! Let her sink down into 
the arms of thy love, and cry out, My Lord and my God ! 

" Let me hear from you as soon as you can. You do not 
know how great a satisfaction this is to, my dear lady, 

" Your ever affectionate servant, J. Wesley. 

" Be pleased to direct to the New Room, in Dublin." 

about this period excited much idle and unprofitable speculation. In his 
journal he writes, April 23, of this year, " I preached at Dunbar about 
noon, and in tin.- evening at Edinburgh. My coming was quite seasonable, 
(though unexpected,) as those bad letters, published in the name of Mr. 
Hervey, and reprinted here by Mr. John Erskin^, had made a great deal 
of noise." — "Wesley's Works, vol iv, p. 200. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 23 

" Kilkenny, July 5, 1765. 

" My Dear Lady, — As yours was sent from Dublin to Cork, 
and back again hither, I did not receive it till yesterday. I am 
now setting my face again toward England : but I expect to be 
in Dublin till the beginning of next month, and then to cross 
over, so as to be at Manchester (if it please God) about the be- 
ginning of August. Either at Dublin or at Manchester I hope to 
have the pleasure of hearing from you. This is indeed a plea- 
sure, as it is to write to you ; though sometimes I do this with 
fear : a fear lest I should give you any pain, as I know the ten- 
derness of your spirit. I wish I could be of some service to 
you : that I could encourage you to cast yourself on Him that 
loves you : that is now waiting to pour his peace into your 
heart, to give you an entrance into the holiest by his blood. 
See him, see him ! Full of grace and truth ! Full of grace 
and truth for thee ! I do not doubt but he is gradually work- 
ing in you : but I want you to experience likewise an instan- 
taneous work : then shall the gradual go on swiftly. Lord, 
speak! thy servant heareth ! Say thou, 'Let there be light!' 
and there shall be light. Now let it spring up in your heart ! 

" It may be, He that does all things well has wise reasons, 
though not apparent to us, for working more gradually in you 
than he has done of late years in most others. It may please 
him to give you the consciousness of his favour, the conviction 
that you are accepted through the Beloved, by almost insensible 
degrees, like the dawning of the day. And it is all one how 
it began, so you but walk in the light. Be this given in an in- 
stant or by degrees, hold it fast. Christ is yours : he hath loved 
you : he hath given himself for you I Therefore you shall 
be holy as he is holy, both in heart and in all manner of con- 
versation. 

" Give me leave, my dear friend, to add a word likewise con- 
cerning your bodily health. You should in any wise give your- 
self all the air and exercise that you can. And I should advise 
you, (even though long custom made it difficult, if that were the 
case,) to sleep as early as possible, never later than ten, in or- 
der to rise as early as health will permit. The having good spi- 
rits, so called, or the contrary, very much depends on this. I 
believe medicines will do you little service : you need only pro- 
per diet, exact regularity, and constant exercise, with the bless- 
ing of God. 

" Your speaking or writing was never tedious to me yet ; and 
I am persuaded never will be. Your letters are more and more 
agreeable to, my very dear lady, 

" Your most affectionate servant, 

"J. Wesley." 

August 10th, of this year, Lady Maxwell again wrote as fol- 
lows : — " Having, by the kind providence of God, a prospect of 



24 LIFE OF LADV MAXWELL. 

going to the sacrament to-morrow, I would, in the strength of 
the Lord, renew my engagements to be his. He has sustained 
me until now, and still is, I trust, drawing me after him. Gra- 
cious God, let me not be disobedient to the heavenly voice, but 
with my icholc heart may I ever seek thee. Jesus, under- 
take for me ; to thee I would desire to give myself up in time 
and in eternity. Set me as a seal upon thy heart, and let me 
experience all thy fulness. I again subscribe with my hand 
unto the Lord, and give myself up; accept of me for Christ's 
sake, and seal me to-morrow. 

" Darcv Maxwell." 

The latter end of this year Mr. Wesley again addressed her, 
and seems to caution her against some dangers to which he 
ki.ew her ladyship was exposed. 

"London, Dec. 1, 1765. 

" My Dear Lady — Perhaps there is scarce any child of man 
that is not at some time a little touched by prejudice, so far at 
least as to be troubled, though not wounded. But it does not 
hurt, unless it fixes upon the mind. It is not strength of under- 
standing which can prevent this. The heart, which otherwise 
suffers most by it, makes the resistance which only is effectual. 
I cannot easily be prejudiced against any person whom I tender- 
ly love, till that love declines. So long, therefore, as our affec- 
tion is preserved by watchfulness, and prayer to Him that gave 
it, prejudice must stand at a distance. Another excellent de- 
fence against it is openness. I admire you upon this account. 
You dare (in spite of that strange reserve which so prevails in 
North Britain) speak the naked sentiments of your heart. I 
hope my dear friend will never do otherwise. In simplicity and 
godly sincerity, the very reverse of worldly wisdom, have all 
your conversation in the world. 

" Have you received a gleam of light from above, a spark of 
faith ? O let it not go. Hold fast, by his grace, that earnest 
of your inheritance. Come just as you are, and come boldly, 
to the throne of grace. You need not delay. Even now the 
bowels of Jesus Christ yearn over you. What have you to do 
with to-morrow ? I love you to-day. And how much more 
does he love you ! He 

' Pities still his wandering sheep, 
Longs to bring you to his fold !' 

To-day hear his voice, the voice of Him that speaks as never 
man spake : the voice that raises the dead, that calls the things 
which are not as though they were. Hark ! What says he 
now 1 ' Fear not ! only believe ! Woman, thy sins are forgiven 
thee : go in peace : thy faith hath made thee whole.' Indeed 
I am, my dear lady, 

" Your ever affectionate servant, John Wesley." 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 25 

In this state of mind Lady Maxwell continued, with little va- 
riation, during the two following years. She scrupulously exa- 
mined every step of her progress, and was extremely jealous lest 
she should err. Fear and hope alternately prevailed. Her de- 
sires, however, continued ardent, and her determination to live 
to God remained unaltered. She had likewise become zealous 
in the cause of religion, and was deeply affected when any thing 
occurred calculated to stain its purity, or to lead the unwary to 
question its reality. Something of this nature had happened in 
Edinburgh, which led her ladyship to state the matter to Mr. 
Wesley. This drew from him the following reply : — 

"Newcastle-upon-Tyne, May 6, 1766. 

" My Dear Lady, — It was well that I did not hear any thing 
of a trial you lately had, till it was past. You have great reason 
to bless God that this did not turn you out of the way. You 
might very easily have inferred from it that ' all these people 
are alike ;' and thence have given way to a thousand reasonings, 
which would have brought you into utter darkness. But it is 
plain you are not left to your own weakness. You have a strong 
helper. The Lord stands on your right hand, therefore you are 
not moved. And I make no doubt that he will continue to help, 
till his arm bring you salvation. But, in the meantime, you 
have need of patience ; and the more so, because you have a 
weak body. This, one may expect, will frequently press down 
the soul ; especially till you are strong in faith. But how soon 
may that be, seeing it is the gift, yea, and the free gift, of God 1 
Therefore it is never far off. The word is nigh thee ! ' Only 
believe !' Look unto Jesus ! Be thou saved ! Receive out of 
his fulness grace upon grace ; mercy, and grace to keep mercy. 

" On the 24th instant I hope to be at Edinburgh, with my 
wife and daughter. But perhaps you will see the salvation of 
God before you see, my dear lady, 

" Your ever affectionate servant, 

" J. Wesley." 

During the year of 1767, Lady Maxwell appears to have suf- 
fered much from bodily indisposition : this might be partly occa- 
sioned by the exercises of her mind ; but her constitution, ever 
since the death of her husband, had been extremely delicate. 
All that is necessary to throw light on her religious progress 
this year will be found in the following letter, and in two extracts 
from her papers. These shall be given in the order of their dates. 
" Norwich, Feb. 23, 1767. 

"My Dear Lady, — For a considerable time I was under 
apprehensions that you were in a state of temptation. And as- 
I had no other way of helping you, this put me upon commending 
vou the more frequently to Him that is able to save you. 
four last, therefore, was doubly acceptable to me, as it relieved 
me from my fears concerning you, and gave me the occasion of 



26 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

rejoicing over one for whom I have the most sincere and tender 
affection. Sure it is that the grace of God is sufficient for you, 
in this and in every trying hour. So you have happily experi- 
enced it to be already : and so, I trust, you, will experience to 
the end. But you must not imagine that you are yet out of the 
reach of temptation : thoughts will be suggested again and again : 
so that you have still need to be 

' For ever standing on your guard, 
And watching unto prayer.' 

And let my*dear friend keep at the utmost distance from tempta- 
tion, and carefully shun all occasions of evil. O it is a good, 
though painful fight ! You find you are not sent a warfare at your 
own cost. You have Him with you, who can have compassion 
on your infirmities ; who remembers you are but dust ; and who, 
at the same time, has all power in heaven and earth, and so is 
able to save you to the uttermost. Exercise, especially as the 
spring comes on, will be of greater service to your health than 
a hundred medicines : and I know not whether it will not be re- 
stored in a larger measure than for many years, when the peace 
of God fixes in your heart. Is it far oft? l)o not think so! 
His ear is not heavy ! He now hears the cry of your heart ! — 
And will he not answer ? Why not to-day 1 Come, Lord Jesus, 
come quickly ! Your openness obliges me to be more than 
ever, my dear lady, your affectionate friend and servant, 

John Wesley." 

" March 14, 1767. Having a view of going to the Lord's 
table to-day, though distressed in mind and weak in body, and 
without those comfortable views which I formerly had ; yet, 
being convinced that without God I must be miserable, and 
knowing that there is no access to him but through the Son of 
his love, I desire, in his strength, to give myself up to him. 
Lord, make me more willing ; remove what hinders ; make this 
surrender effectual ; and ratify it in heaven, for Christ's sake. O 
give me to profit more by the ordinance than formerly : Lord, 
draw me, and I will run after thee : O quicken me, and I will 
call upon thee ; and make me, O Jesus, thine in time and for 
ever. D. M." 

" October. The Lord in mercy having spared me until now, 
and as he is now giving me another opportunity of goin^ to his 
Son's table, and having been very merciful to me since 1 was 
last there, I would here record his goodness ; take shame 
and confusion to myself for past unfaithfulness, and renew 
my engagements to he his for ever. O God, thou hast been 
good ; to thee be endless praise ! Upon mature deliberation, 
I still see it my greatest honour, and desire it as my highest 
privilege, to be devoted to God ; and therefore, in thy strength, 
O Jehovah, in thy name, O Jesus, I again cheerfully desire 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 27 

to give myself to the Lord, soul, body, and spirit, for time and 
eternity. O let it be effectual ; and to-morrow, at thy table, 
shine upon me, and give me power to live more to thee than 
hitherto, for Christ's sake. D. M." 

And now the day of her redemption drew near. The vision 
had tarried, but she had also waited for it. She had long gone 
on her way weeping, bearing precious seed ; now she returns, 
bringing her sheaves with her. The horizon had been dark, and 
at times cheerless ; but the overhanging cloud of condemnation 
passeth away, being dissipated by the glorious Sun of righteous- 
ness : servile fear gives place to filial love ; faith lays hold of 
the atonement, and her heart is filled with joy and gladness ; — 
or, to speak in Scripture language, a language which nothing 
but barefaced infidelity will attempt either to deride or explain 
away, " Being justified by faith, she had peace with God through 
our Lord Jesus Christ," and "rejoiced in hope of the glory of 
God." This happy change (alluded to in a former extract) she 
has stated in the following explicit and circumstantial manner : — 
" April 4, 1768. For some weeks the Lord had more than 
ever given me to see my great wretchedness by nature, and had 
written tekel upon all I had done or could do. This greatly 
distressed me ; I knew not which way to turn. My foes were 
increasing, and, to my apprehension, my strength weakening. I 
thought God dealt hardly with me ; my carnal mind boiled in 
enmity against him. I was impatient and fretful, — the terrors 
of hell often took hold of me, and the fears of death were strong. 
I sunk down, and a cloud overshadowed me. My reason was 
utterly unable to assist me ; nay, I seemed to be denied the use 
of it so as to be able to draw any rational conclusion respecting 
my state. To heighten my distress, I was in a sea of tempta- 
tion : it seemed a critical time ; either G*od must help or I 
perish. In great mercy he did send me some help, by the prayer 
and conversation of one of his servants ; who, among other 
things, told me the Lord was humbling me previous to deliver- 
ance. I obtained a degree of relief from what he said, and, in 
the evening, was much profited under his sermon from Isaiah 
xxxv, 3, ' Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble 
knees.' Two days after, Providence brought to my hand The 
Experience of a Good Man. The part I read treated of faith. 
By this means I obtained a view of faith which, in a good mea- 
sure, agreed with another account I had read a few days before. 
But I could not then receive it ; now I was brought to acquiesce, 
and in a measure led to the exercise described by the writer, 
and determined to wait the issue. I mean, believing in Christ, 
with a degree of persuasion that he would appear in my behalf. 
On the following Sabbath I went to church, and prayed to God 
that, if what had passed in my soul was from himself, he would 
give me some token of it. Mr. Webster lectured on Acts 



28 LIFE OF LADY .MAXWELL. 

xvi, 17. I was disappointed ; but during his sermon from the 31st 
verse, ' Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be 
saved,' the power of God was present, and I received a measure 
of faitli I had not formerly possessed. 1 was made to see Christ 
as entirely suited to me ; my understanding, icill, and affections 
were wrought upon : I was made willing to accept Christ with 
his cross : to believe he would give me all I stood in need of, 
and finish what concerned me. I was glad for the consolation, 
and held him fast all day, still expecting a greater manifestation. 
In the afternoon Dr. Erskine preached from, 'Ye that love the 
Lord, hate evil.' Among other things, these words came with 
power, ' Behold, thou art made whol^ ; sin no more, lest a 
worse thing come unto thee.' At night, by plausible reasoning, 
Satan almost robbed me of all, but I again got power to look 
to Jesus, and found my cure. On Monday and Tuesday I still 
held fast the beginning of my confidence. " On Tuesday night I 
was constrained to praise God for his goodness, for, though in 
company, I found much peace, my anchor being fixed. Wednes- 
day, Thursday, and till Friday evening, it cost me hard strug- 
gling. I saw my great wretchedness, felt my own emptiness, 
and had almost given up my hold, concluding I had given way 
to what had displeased the Lord. 'Friday night, the subject 
preached upon was ' Christ manifested in the flesh to take away 
our sins.' This, through the day, I had been praying to feel. 
During the sermon I was variously agitated ; now hoping, and 
again driven back, because I did not "feel power to relinquish 
all ; and still feared I had done wrong ; but before the sermon 
was concluded my mind was cheered, and my hope increased ; 
and on coming home, my peace began to flow as a river. I was 
astonished : — knew not what to make of it, and was afraid of 
delusion. Having teen so long inured to distress, I started 
back at joy, and thought it could not be for me. I again prayed 
to God, that if this happy change was wrought by him, it might 
continue, and I be enabled to walk worthy of it ; but if from the 
enemy, it might be taken aAvay ; as I would rather choose sorrow 
from himself, than be allowed to deceive myself. Still it con- 
tinued. I was afraid to go to rest, lest I should lose the enjoy- 
ment ; and all that day, I cannot express what I felt. All con- 
demnation was removed, I could not help believing, being so 
sweetly constrained to it. I was much inclined °to silence, 
prayer, and meditation. A sense of divine love preserved in 
me a calm composure of spirit : it seemed all ' a sacred awe that 
dares not move.' My heart was made to say, ' I charge you, O 
ye daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up nor awake my 
love till he please.' On the Sabbath following, Mr. Plenderleith 
lectured on Gal. v, 1, 'Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty 
wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again 
with the yoke of bondage.' I found it suitable, and was blessed. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 29 

He preached on 1 Thess. iii, 3. I prayed to the Lord that he 
would again set his seal to the work, and show me clearly if he 
had given me saving faith ; and while the minister was describing 
a true faith, the Lord, in great condescension, gave me his Spirit 
to witness with mine that he had bestowed upon me that precious 
gift. I felt it clear, full, and satisfactory, far beyond all human 
evidence. Between sermons I found my mind hurt, and a 
degree of condemnation which terrified me. In the afternoon, 
under Mr. Webster, the Lord again spoke peace to me, and I 
was restored. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I had peace, 
and a measure of love. On Thursday, at Leith, being the fast 
day, Mr. Walker preached from Heb. xiii, 9, ' It is a good thing 
that the heart be established with grace.' Again the Lord wit- 
nessed to the work, and I was made happy ; but at night a great 
storm was raised, and I was afraid I should lose all. I was 
astonished I could not love God more ; was in misery, and very 
nearly gave up my confidence. On Saturday I heard a sermon 
from Heb. xii, 24 : but I was not very lively. All that night I 
had power to believe, but could not obtain that gale of heavenly 
affections I desired to enjoy. On Sunday morning I was indis- 
posed in body, and not much alive in my soul ; but grew better, 
and the Lord abundantly blessed my provision, though, in the 
act of communicating I was not a little disappointed, as my ex- 
pectations were great : but all day I had sweet peace in believ- 
ing. To-day Mr. Johnson * preached from Luke xxi, 40, ' And 
when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter 
not into temptation.' I received it as sent unto me, and per- 
ceived my danger, my need, and also my safety, namely, in 
prayer and looking to Jesus. O praises, eternal praises, be 
ascribed to my God. 

* Now I have found the ground wherein 

Sure my soul's anchor may remain : 
The wounds of Jesus for my sin, 

Before the world's foundation slain ; 
Whose mercy shall unshaken stay, 
When heaven and earth are fled away.' " 

* The Rev. Messrs. Webster, Erskine, Plenderleith, Walker, and 
Johnson were pious and able ministers in the Established Church of Scot- 
land. They evidently stood high in the esteem of her ladyship ; and from 
them, under God, she received substantial benefit. How remarkably appo 
site to the state of her mind were the passages spoken from on this event- 
ful occasion ! He who sends by whom he will send, can direct his faithful 
servants in their selection of subjects, and by their instrumentality com- 
municate seasonable consolation to the soul that seeks him. There is a 
pensive pleasure attending the recollection of the labours of such men. 
'J Our fathers, where are they? the prophets, do they life for ever?" 



30 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

CHAPTER II. 



Lady Maxwell's love of retirement — From her youth and elevated rank 
exposed to temptation and danger — Relinquishes her gay acquaintances — 
Connection with Lady Glenorchy — They differ in religious sentiment, but 
continue united in affection — Account of Lady H. Hope — The manner 
in which Lady Maxwell spent her time — Her love to the means of grace 
— Constant thirst for full salvation. 

From the date of the last extract Lady Maxwell's diary com- 
mences ; and little more will be found necessary for a full develope- 
ment of her heart and life, than to follow with attention her own 
copious and unreserved statements. By daily self-inspection, by 
a habit of turning her eye inward, of watching the movements of 
her affections, of analyzing her feelings, and attending to the bias 
of her will ; she attained to a power of discrimination in the im- 
portant science of self-knowledge, very rarely possessed. Hence 
it is believed that the enlightened and discerning Christian will 
find, in the following record of her experience, clearness, accu- 
racy, and precision. But as her ladyship has only noticed out- 
ward occurrences, so far as they had an influence on her mind 
and heart, allusions to different circumstances will be frequently 
met with on which a few explanations will be deemed desirable. 
The following particulars may be here premised, calculated to 
throw light on different parts of the diary and correspondence. 

" From the time Lady Maxwell became a widow, she resided in 
Edinburgh or its vicinity ; from which, however, as will be seen, 
she made occasional excursions to the south. But ever after her 
conversion to God, retirement from the busy scenes of the world 
was most congenial to her habits and pursuits. In the northern 
metropolis she had her daily walks of benevolence, seeking to re- 
lieve misery in all its varied forms : in name and character she 
was well known to an enlarged circle of religious friends ; yet, 
as a person figuring on the stage of the world, or as exercising 
authority in the church, she was not known. Her influence be- 
came great, and her usefulness extensive ; but it was silent, 
gentle, and unobtrusive as the fall of the evening dew. Con- 
fined by choice to her native country, from which she seldom 
moved but when business called or health demanded, and then 
but for a short time, she lived in retired privacy, secluded from 
the gay and busy world. Being easy in her temporal circum- 
stances, select and happy in her acquaintances, her path through 
life was generally even and her sky serene, presenting few, if 
any, of those varieties which are to be found in the lives of the 
principal actors on the stage of this world ; or of those whose 
path is checkered with every variety of light and shade, their 
horizon having experienced every vicissitude between the cloud- 
less noon of prosperity and the starless midnight of adversity. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 31 

Her life had a sameness, the sameness of matured, established 
piety, a blessed monotony of being, and getting, and doing good/' 
This will in some degree account for a paucity of incident in 
the following diary which, in the estimation of some persons, 
might otherwise have been invested with an additional interest ; 
but which need not be greatly regretted by those whose principal 
view in reading is the improvement of the heart. 

Lady Maxwell was frequently the subject of severe conflicts ; 
the grand adversary diversifying his mode of attack according to 
her age, experience, and circumstances. When she first entered 
the field of her spiritual warfare she was comparatively but a 
stripling ; and from her elevated rank must have been exposed 
to imminent danger. If religion be at all times amiable and at- 
tractive, it is peculiarly so in the youthful disciple. It is here 
that it obtains its noblest conquests. When, through its sancti- 
fying influence, we see the ardour and impetuosity of youthful 
passions kept within proper limits, and directed to noble pursuits ; 
the vain blandishments of the world despised that the consola- 
tions which flow from the cross may be secured ; — when we see 
the rich and honourable in early life, " choosing rather to suf- 
fer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the plea- 
sures of sin for a season," we have indeed a convincing proof of 
the efficacy of grace, and are constrained to acknowledge that the 
gospel is " the power of God unto salvation." It was in the 
spring time of her days that Lady Maxwell gave her heart 
wholly to God. Being then in the bloom of youth, favoured with 
a person cast in nature's finest mould, possessed of a mind su- 
perior both in its kind and culture, each capable of raising ad- 
miration and commanding esteem ; it is not to be wondered at 
that she had to grapple with temptations from the world, or that, 
in prosecuting her determination to follow Christ, she was daily 
called to deny herself and to take up her cross. The above- 
qualities of body and mind procured her also various solicitations 
again to enter into the marriage state ; by which she might have 
formed an alliance with the first families in the empire, and con- 
siderably elevated her rank ; but whether from obedience to the 
apostolic injunction, " Be not unequally yoked together with un- 
believers," or on account of other reasons which cannot now be 
known, she never, except with regard to one offer, and that for a 
short season, entertained a thought of the kind. As her time and 
her talents, so were her person and affections offered a willing sa- 
crifice to God : nor can there be a doubt that she ever indulged a 
temptation to revoke the surrender thus willingly made. In the con- 
templation of the divine perfections as displayed in creation, provi- 
dence, and redemption, in the possession of her God, and in recom- 
mending to others the Redeemer of men, she found all that was ne- 
cessary to give suitable employment to the energies of her mind, and 
to gratify the pure, and elevated, and enlarged desires of her heart. 



32 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

" But if religion opens a source of pleasure, at once pure and 
varied, rich and inexhaustible, — adapted to human society in all 
its varieties, and to human life amid all its vicissitudes, — so it 
likewise presents its difficulties. It has not indeed yet been 
proved thai tin se are more numerous, or more formidable, than 
those which are mel in any other pursuit, whether of knowledge, 
fame, wealth, or pleasure : and generally speaking, the Chris- 
tian'.* difficulties gradually diminish as he proceeds on his way. 
in is overcome and controlled by grace, — the affections 
• 1 to earthly good ; as the will becomes accustomed pla- 
cidly to submit to, and cheerfully to enter into the will of God, 
and the mind formed to virtuous habits ; as the rugged asperities 
of nature arc filed off by the power of the Spirit, and smoothed 
to patience, long suffering, gentleness, and contentment, — diffi- 
culties ;irc found to be duties, and duties are relished with de- 
light ; crosses form crowns, and temporal loss conduces to spi- 
ritual and < ternal gain. Thus, as the Christian advances in the 
divine life, and in proportion to his advance his way becomes 
more smooth, the sky of his prospects brightens and extends, and 
the thorns of difficulty and opposition are deprived of their pain- 
ful sharpness. 

" Lady Maxwell's religion did not subject her to much opposi- 
tion, though its connection with a particular body of Christians 
very early called into exercise her spirit of sacrifice. She suf- 
fered the loss of many things which had ranked high in her esti- 
mation ; but she accounted them as dross, for the excellence of 
the knowledge of Christ. It could not be expected that many 
of her own rank would court her society, and among those who 
withdrew themselves were her early associates, and principal 
friends. Yet losses like these she scarcely felt, and perhaps 
never deplored. There were, however, at that time in Scotland 
some, though ' not many noble, 1 whose minds God had illumi- 
nated, and whose hearts his transforming hand had touched, who 
esteemed vital Christianity their highest honour, and made the 
cross of Christ the supreme object of their glory. Among these 
may be reckoned the late Viscountess Glenorchy. The piety of 
this lady was considerable, her usefulness great, her zeal for or- 
thodoxy standing at a high temperature ; and her attachment to 
Lady Maxwell was strong, sincere, and unaltered, in life and in 
death. And yet, such is the frailty of human nature, this friend- 
ship had its alloy, which occasioned both parties sincere sorrow. 

" Wilhelmina Maxwell,* afterward Lady Glenorchy, was 
youngest daughter of Dr. William Maxwell, Esq., of Preston, 
in Dumfrieshirc, and sister to the countess of Sutherland. She 

* Dr. William Maxwell died four months before the birth of this daugh 
ter; and his widow, afterward the venerable Lady Aim, wishing to perpe 
tuate the name of a husband so dear, called the fatherless child Wilhelmina. 
— Dr. Gibbon' 8 Meni. of Eminently Pious Women, vol. ii, p. 264. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 33 

was early married to John, Lord Viscount Glenorchy, only son 
of the late earl of Breadalbane, whose death, soon after, left her 
a very young widow. ' Her understanding (says her biographer, 
the late Rev. Dr. Gillies of Glasgow) was naturally strong, and 
her memory retentive. Her mind was polished by a liberal edu- 
cation, and richly furnished by extensive reading and observa- 
tion. Her person was agreeable, her manners engaging, her 
fancy brilliant, and attended by a constant flow of good humour.' 
But, though ' fitted to shine in courts,' being visited by sickness 
in her twenty-third year, she upon recovery resolved to prefer 
devotion and utility to gayety and thoughtlessness ; and her con- 
duct through life afterward proved that her faith was not fruit- 
less of good works. Her private charities were indeed number- 
less, and great part of them unknown. To some ministers, 
whose congregations were not affluent, she paid regular salaries ; 
to others, occasional donations ; and to many others, stated an- 
nuities. Beside the elegant chapel at Edinburgh, which cost 
about £6000, and which bears her name, she built and endowed 
a church at Strathfillan, in Perthshire ; and purchased chapels 
at Matlock, in Derbyshire ; at Carlisle, at Workington, and at 
Newton Burhill, in Devonshire ; beside contributing, along with 
Lady Henrietta Hope, to the erection of Hope Chapel at Bristol. 
This excellent lady died at Edinburgh, July 17th, 1786, leaving 
£5000 to the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian 
Knowledge ; £5000 for educating young men for the ministry in 
England ; and most of the rest of her fortune, which was consi- 
derable, to other pious and charitable uses.'* Such a remarka- 
ble similarity in the rank and situation of these two ladies, — 
their personal endowments, and mental accomplishments, — the 
manner in which a wise Providence had treated them, — and the 
means which sovereign grace had employed to save them, were 
so simultaneous as seemed sufficient to draw them together as 
by reciprocal attraction, and blend their congenial souls in one. 
" But, although in feeling, affection, and pursuits, they remain- 
ed one, the harmony of sentiment was soon broken, and on cer- 
tain subjects they ceased to see eye to eye. The Viscountess 
Glenorchy, for a considerable time, was an intimate friend of the 
Rev. John Wesley, one of his greatest admirers, and regularly 
attended the ministry of the preachers in connection with him, at 
the Wesleyan chapel in Edinburgh. But on the republication 
of Mr. Hervey's letters,! accompanied by a preface written in 
the true spirit of a dogmatical and angry controvertist, a general 
suspicion was excited against what was called the unsoundness 
of Mr. Wesley's principles. It was then that Lady Glenorchy, 
along with some other persons of distinction, began to view Mr. 
Wesley as a teacher of heterodox opinions, and under that view 

* Encyclop. Perthen., art. Maxwell. f See note, p. 21. 



34 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 



withdrew from him their countenance. Thev went farther, and 
a powerful and determined opposition was set up. And it cer- 
tainly cannot now he denied that if that system of doctrines, 
which has in this country, it is presumed proudly and exclusive- 
ly, arrogated to itself the imposing appellation of orthodoxy, be 
right. Mr. \\ esley and his adherents have all alonff, even from 
the beginning, been decidedly in the wrong, if Calvin and 
Whitefield taught nothing but the infallible truth as it is in 
Jesus, a host ot most distinguished divines, as well as Wesley 
and t letcher, have erred from that truth. But these are points 
on which the learned and pious still see cause to differ : there 
are, however, some favourable indications that they are learning 
more and more to avoid questions which gender strife, and to 
contend principally for those essential doctrines in which all, 
who hold the head, cordially agree.* 

" On these controverted subjects, Lady Maxwell thought for 
herself ; and all who know the character and strength of her 
thinking powers, the degree in which her mind was furnished 
with whatever might aid its natural energies in its search after 
truth; the calm, the close, the dispassionate way in which she 
applied her mind to investigate any subject of importance ; all 
such persons will not hesitate in allowing that she was quite as 
competent to judge and to decide as any other of her rank ; and 
will believe that she acted conscientiously, and from conviction, 
in the formation of her religious creed. And, notwithstanding 
she had to subdue the almost invincible prejudices of education 
and country, she was led firmly to believe that the inspired 
volume teaches, in the unsophisticated sense of the terms, that 
trod is loving to every man,' ' and would have all men saved ;' 
that ' the righteous may turn from his righteousness, and die 
in sin, and that k the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from 
all sin. But, though she differed in sentiment from Lady 
trlenorchv, and some others of her early religious acquaintance, 
which at times occasioned painful exercises of mind, there was 



-JraSon f ^. lowins remarks > by an eminent Scotch divine arc worthy of 

Jr. u 1 ll h l S ,S S WhlCh y °u U u al1 orthodox y a thin- in which mankind are uni- 
versally agreed, insomuch that it would seem to be entitled to the privilege 
ot an axiom, or first principle to be assumed without proof? Quite the re- 

nfvut 1 hT "i n ° thmg aboi V vlnch men have bec »' and stl " ««. more 
divided. It has been accounted orthodox divinity in one aee, which hath 

thTJTf Cfl as ( n ' llc ' lll r * ^ticism in the next* It is at tL day deemed 

the perfection of orthodoxy m one country, which in an adjacent country 

everv^ d . UlH ; a T iTHF* '" ^ N&y ' " ,hC Same ***** hath ™* 
every sect a standard of their own '( A ccordingly, v> hen any person seriously 
uses the word, before we can understand his meaning, we must know to 
what communion he belongs. W hen that is known, wl comprehend it per- 
£& % ft? ° rthodox ' be u m L ea " s alwa y s tho^ who agree in opinion 
7v!» 3K» r h,S pa o ty ' a ™ by the hcte ">dox those who differ from him.»- 
Campbell s Lee. on Sys. Theology, p. 114. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 35 

no interruption of religious friendship, nor the smallest diminu- 
tion of Christian affection. Like the two champions of that day 
in the field of controversy, they went hand in hand, as far as 
they could ; and when they could go no farther, without a dere- 
liction of principle, they kindly agreed to differ. In fact, Lady 
Maxwell occupied such a respectable situation, both for sense 
and piety, that her eloquence and influence were often highly 
serviceable in defending the doctrines of Mr. Wesley and his 
ministers ; and also in removing much bitter prejudice from the 
minds of those persons who either had not, or would not have, 
any other means of learning the truth. With respect to Lady 
Glenorchy, such was the estimate in which she held Lady Max- 
well, that at her death we find her appointing Lady M. her sole 
executrix, and the principal manager of her chapels, both in 
England and Scotland. This appointment, as will be seen, de- 
volved on her ladyship much painful solicitude ; but it also led 
her into an extensive field of usefulness, and furnished her with 
many sources of satisfaction and joy. Her call to this work she 
steadfastly believed was the call of God : and, though she often 
deplored the small success which attended some of these reli- 
gious institutions, with a scrupulous conscientiousness she car- 
ried into effect every tittle of Lady Glenorchy's will. There is, 
however, reason to believe that the anxiety to which she was 
hereby subjected, and the additional labour which it imposed 
upon her, had, in her latter days, an unfavourable effect on her 
declining health, and in all probability tended to accelerate her 
death." 

Another of Lady Maxwell's most intimate friends and cor- 
respondents was Lady Henrietta Hope, third daughter of John, 
earl of Hopetown. This excellent lady was remarkably formed 
for eminence. Her understanding was clear and strong, and her 
judgment sound. By reading, conversation, deep thought, and 
observation, she greatly improved her intellectual powers ; and 
in early life afforded pleasing promise, should she survive to ma- 
ture years, of being useful and ornamental to society. The ex- 
pectations so fondly entertained by her relatives and friends were 
not disappointed. She manifested the " nicest moral sense ;" 
possessed a heart formed for friendship ; had a keen sensibility 
of human pain, with an unceasing desire to relieve, or at least 
alleviate, in every possible way, the varied distresses of her fel- 
low creatures. Such an amiable and benevolent disposition 
secured for her the warm attachment of all around where she 
resided. She was indeed beloved by all who had the happiness 
of her acquaintance. This affection, from superiors and inferiors, 
is a circumstance always honourable, and rendered peculiarly so 
in some situations. 

" Yet, though favoured with a mind thus enriched with every 
virtue of the moral character, united to the most lovely disposi- 



36 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

tions and engaging manners, it was not till her twenty-fifth year 
that Lady Henrietta Hope began to inquire about the great reali- 
ties of eternity. At that time an impression concerning the 
one thing needful was made upon her mind, which never after 
was effaced. Her own words upon this subject, at that memora- 
ble period, are, ' O to grace how great a debtor ! Called at first 
out of nothing ; and, after twenty-five years' obstinacy and rebel- 
lion, awakened from a state of sin, misery, and death, and brought 
to the light of the glorious gospel, to the knowledge of Jesus 
Christ revealed therein, and (though by slow degrees, through 
various mazes, manifold tempations, and sundry trials, may 
I not, in all humility, say) to good hopes through grace. How 
shall I praise the riches of that grace which has abounded toward 
me."' 

" Being thus brought from darkness to light, and her mind 
relieved from anxiety respecting her own state, the language of 
her heart was that of the royal psalmist : ' What shall I render 
unto the Lord V Believing it her duty, and viewing it as her 
privilege, she made an entire dedication of herself, with all she 
had or ever should stand possessed of, to that great and gracious 
Being who had dealt so bountifully with her. Nor did she ever 
breathe a wish to recall the solemn deed ; no, the residue of her 
life, by its uniform tenor, proved the sacrifice not only sincere 
but universal, in so far as her situation would permit." (Gib- 
bon's Mem., vol. ii, p. 260.) 

The particular circumstances which, under God, led to this 
important change in Lady Hope, have not been noticed by her 
biographer ; but the nature of the correspondence between her 
and Lady Maxwell renders it highly probable that Lady M. was 
the honoured instrument employed by the great Head of the 
church in bringing Lady Hope to a knowledge of God her Sa- 
viour. The former invariably addresses the latter as her " dear 
daughter" and frequently subscribes herself, " Your affection- 
ate parent in the gospel.'''' Between these illustrious individuals 
there existed no jar of sentiment ; but possessing a oneness of 
soul, a congeniality of feeling, they entered cordially into each 
other's views, and greatly assisted each other in their benevolent 
purposes. Lady Maxwell was, perhaps, more formed for action 
than her pious companion ; she therefore had the principal ma- 
nagement of their varied charities ; but Lady Hope, whose hu- 
mility, " almost to excess," kept her much from public view, 
was, as it respects advice and pecuniary aid, one of her most 
steady and powerful auxiliaries. Lady Hope evidently consider- 
ed Lady Maxwell as her spiritual adviser, and therefore laid open 
to her, with the most unreserved freedom, the diversified exer- 
cises of her mind : and in the replies of the latter there will be 
observed a solicitude, a tenderness, and affection truly maternal 
and Christian. So intimate and endeared was this friendship, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 37 

that, for several years, few days were permitted to elapse without 
some interchange of expressions of mutual esteem.* 

Such were two of the illustrious companions of Lady Max- 
well ; but she had learned also to condescend to persons of low 
estate. She had in Edinburgh other intimate religious friends, 
with whom she used statedly to commune on the deep things of 
God ; and these, though eminently pious, were principally select- 
ed from the humbler walks in life. Her correspondents also 
became numerous ; a few of these will be noticed afterward. 
But the manner in which her ladyship spent her time may be 
here detailed, as tending greatly to illustrate many of her allu- 
sions. " She had always, especially after the death of Lady 
Glenorchy, much business on her hands, and had as much writ- 
ing as might have employed a private secretary : but as she rose 
early, applied herself closely, and did every thing by rule, she 
lived and did much in a very short time, and was able to despatch 
the whole with her own hand. During the former part of her 
life she rose at four o'clock, certainly a very unfashionable hour, 
and attended preaching in the Wesleyan chapel at five, (morn- 
ing preaching being usual at that time,) but at a later period she 
did not rise quite so early. The time between rising and break- 
fast was spent in devotional exercises. She breakfasted in her 
earlier days at seven, afterward at eight o'clock ; after which 
she discharged the duties of the head of a family, in the character 
of a priest, in her own house. From eleven till twelve was spent 
in intercession with God for her friends, the church, and the 
world ; and the intervening time was devoted to reading, writing, 
exercise, and the performance of acts of benevolence to such as 
might require it. She generally retired to her closet before 
dinner, and again as soon after dinner as was at all convenient. 
The evenings, when she was alone, were spent in reading, chiefly 
divinity ; and after an early supper she again committed her 
family into the kind keeping of that great Shepherd who never 
sleeps; and then, having spent some time in praising the God of 
all her known and unknown mercies, she retired to rest in full 
assurance of eternal salvation, should she never see the light 
of another day. The history of one day of her domestic life 
may be considered as a fair specimen of every day, excepting 
the Sabbath, and her more special acts of devotion on every re- 
turning Friday. This day was conscientiously set apart for the 
exercise of abstinence, as she could bear it ; for the duties of 
impartial examination, humiliation, and renewed dedication of 
herself to God : and, in the latter part of her life, it was on this 
day she took a retrospect of the week, in order to record the exer- 
cises of her mind, and to enumerate the blessings she had re- 
ceived during that period. Generally, while thus engaged, she 

* For particulars respecting the death of these two eminent and pious 
ladies, see p. 232. 



38 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

had " times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord," which 
made any interruption, except from evident calls to other neces- 
sary duty, irksome and unpleasant. In this manner for the space 
of nearly fifty years : 

" Her virtues walk'd their [daily] round ; 
Nor made a pause, nor left a void ; 
And sure the eternal Master found, 
His [various] talents well employ'd." 

As she walked with God in her own dwelling, so her heart 
loved the very gates of Zion ; and she showed this love by at- 
tending the house of the Lord, to the latest period of her life, 
whenever health would permit. She regularly attended the 
morning and evening sermon in the Wesleyan chapel on the 
Sabbath day, until declining health limited her attendance to the 
morning in winter. She occasionally went to her parish church, 
(St. Cuthbert's, or West Kirk,) and constantly on sacramental 
occasions. On the Monday evenings she was present at the 
public prayer meeting in the chapel, afterward attended at the 
band meeting, at. which she always spoke with great freedom, 
whether the individuals present were many or few, poor or rich ; 
and she always made it a point to speak at every love-feast 
which she attended. When nothing extraordinary prevented, 
the preachers in Edinburgh visited her ladyship on the Thurs- 
day in every week, on which occasion she met in class along 
with the preachers, and such other religious persons as were 
frequently present on those days, for the twofold purpose of 
enjoying the privilege of meeting in class, and of sharing the 
company and conversation of her ladyship. These were very 
solemn occasions. It was here, in a very peculiar manner, that 
the clearness and extent of her views of divine things appeared, 
and the lustre of the Christian graces shone. Here was per- 
ceived the depth of her humility, the strength of her faith, the 
vigour of her hope, the fervour of her love, and the ardour of 
her zeal. Here it appeared how dead she was to the world, 
how far she was saved from self, and how entirely she was losing 
herself in the will of God : there was no appearance of ecstatic 
rapture, but a deep serenity of mind, a constancy of peace, and 
an inexpressible fulness of love. The Rev. Duncan M'Allum, 
who had known her ladyship nearly thirty years, when referring 
to those occasions, observes, " The place was wont to be filled 
with the presence of God, and we breathed a heavenly atmos- 
phere. Our hearts burned within us, as she talked to us. I 
remember not, in my long pilgrimage, to have enjoyed equal plea- 
sure in the conversation of any Christian as in hers ; and I should 
look backward with regret, if I could not look forward with hope. 

" Immediately after the meeting, she gave to the preachers, to 
pay into the hands of the respective treasurers, her usual con- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 39 

tributions for the poor, and the support of the gospel ; and then 
proceeded to inquire after the success attending their labours ; 
the state of religion in each place in the circuit ; how the classes 
in general were attended ; and whether the work of God was 
prosperous in the connexion at large : and in these inquiries she 
seldom lost sight of the sick poor of the flock. In company, 
and at table, she gave every subject of conversation a pious and 
profitable turn, that all present might be benefited. And as on 
these occasions some young female relations were frequently 
present, for whose spiritual good she was deeply solicitous, she 
particularly suited the topic of conversation to their state and 
feelings ; dwelling most frequently on the pleasantness of religion, 
and the doubtfulness of all piety which was not accompanied 
with a scriptural assurance of acceptance with God." 

From the time Lady Maxwell obtained justifying mercy, she 
deeply felt the necessity of full salvation from sin, while she 
clearly saw that such a salvation is a privilege graciously exhi- 
bited in the gospel of Christ : and as she believed that the meri- 
torious fountain of the Saviour's blood was opened, as well for 
all uncleanness of heart and nature, as for guilt on the conscience 
— that divine faithfulness and justice were equally pledged to 
cleanse the believer from all unrighteousness, as to forgive the 
penitent his sins — that grace could reign until an end was made' 
of iniquity, and the heart filled with the perfect love of God ; so 
it will be found, that with an ardent, uniform pursuit of soul she 
followed after, that she might be saved as fully as a fallen 
creature, wearing a body of flesh and blood, and dwelling in a 
world of temptation, could be saved ; that her body and soul and 
spirit might be wholly sanctified to God. And as her Christian 
course is pursued, guided by the clew of her own diary and cor- 
respondence, it will be seen that she attained to a constant 
assurance of sanctifying grace. After this happy period, it will 
appear that her strains of praise rose gradually in the scale to 
notes more exalted and more divine, until her triumphant spirit 
took its flight, to unite with the choirs above in singing praises 
to Him who had loved her, and washed her from her sins in his 
blood. There were, indeed, in her experience, moments of 
mental depression, but not of unbelief; there was a deep con- 
sciousness of shortcoming, but no condemnation on account of 
backsliding. Her religion had its varieties, but these were the 
varieties of advance ; the blade shooting into the stalk, then the 
ear, and the ear gradually receiving the golden colouring of 
maturity and ripeness : her inward experience had its changes, 
but these changes were only those of the glorious rising morn, 
which shineth brighter and brighter to the perfect day. 



40 LIFE oh LADY MAXWELL. 

CHAPTER III.— 1767. 

A()v;inUiL( s of autobiography — Lady Maxwell's diary. 

After the preceding observations, Lady Maxwell shall be 
chiefly her own biographer. As none but God and herself could 
know the varied exercises of her mind and heart, so no pen but 
her own could have ever described them. Others might tell of 
what Bhe said, and of what she did ; but she will relate what she 
thought and what she felt — what were the causes of her sorrows, 
and from whence arose her joys : she will unfold the motives 
which gave life and energy to her actions, and describe the 
might by which she was enabled to perform them : she will tell 
of her hopes and fears, her inward conflicts and spiritual con- 
quests ; and give many an important lesson to those who are 
seeking for "glory, immortality, and eternal life." 

April 25. All the last week the Lord has been exceedingly 
gracious to me, giving me peace in believing, and at times joy. 

the delightful moments I have experienced ! I have found 
Jesus a most satisfying portion ; but have been humbled before 
God, from a deep conviction of my want of conformity to him. 

1 am ready to think none ever experienced so much of his good- 
De88, who did not feel more of the transforming influence of 
grace. I am earnestly desirious to have my heart adorned with 
ever) r fruit of the Holy Spirit, and my life with every virtue of 
the Christian character, that God may be glorified in me. I 
now see, in a different manner than what I formerly did, that 
all the mercies I enjoy, from a cup of cold water to the salvation 
of my soul, have been purchased by the Redeemer. This en- 
dears him to me. He is my all in all. 

July 11. The Lord is still merciful, and though often pro- 
voked, has not yet forsaken me. I still, through mercy, hold 
fast my confidence, though not at all times alike strong. I have 
generally a persuasion that I shall overcome. The Lord has 
given me precious promises on which he has caused me to hope ; 
and I daily look for their accomplishment. With the apostle I 
am enabled in some measure to forget, " those things which 
are behind, and reach forth to those things which are before :" 
and at times am so animated with the hopes of complete victory 
that nothing seems to intimidate : but there are also seasons 
when, through the power of corruption, the strength of tempta- 
tion, and a sense of a thousand evils which still cleave to me, 
I am weighed down, and am ready to sink. But He who is rich 
in mercy knows what I am able to bear, and proportions my 
sufferings to my strength. At present I perceive no object 
worthy my pursuit, but the will of God ; that is indeed precious. 
I earnestly desire to know it, and to walk in it ; but for want of 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 41 

power, and at times of inclination, I suffer keen anguish. Lord 
God, perfect what thou hast begun. 

September 16. My soul is restlessly pursuing God, with a 
deep sense of the emptiness of all created good : without much 
sensible enjoyment, but with great desire and expectation : and, 
through mercy, my anchor is fixed, and Jesus in some small 
measure is my " wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and 
redemption." 

, Sunday 19. To-day the Lord humbled me by a sight 

and sense of my natural wretchedness ; I was almost a terror to 
myself. At night my distress increased, and my soul was in an 
agony. I seemed stripped of all. I had no doubt of my adop-* 
tion, yet the conflict was great ; Satan raged mightily, but the 
Lord sustained me. When I thought of yielding, a secret voice 
seemed to encourage me to fight manfully. I was convinced 
that the Lord would not suffer me to be tried above what I was 
able to bear, and I happily found it so. Jesus drew nigh and 
strengthened me, but rather with sustaining than with comfort- 
ing grace. He rebuked Satan, and in some measure I hope I 
came off victorious ; yet in every situation I see danger. When 
most alive to God, I am most sensible of the hinderances I meet 
with from others, and am prone to grow fretful and impatient : — 
again, when I obtain victory over my enemies, then I feel a 
tendency to spiritual pride, which terrifies me. But must I 
slacken my pursuit of divine things because of this ? No, I 
endeavour to fly to the blood of sprinkling, and cry to Jesus. 

October 8. For some days the Lord has been teaching me 
that in nothing am I to seek happiness but in himself : — to use 
other things, but to enjoy him. It is a difficult lesson. With- 
out much grace and constant watchfulness, how natural is it to 
sink, at least in a measure, into the creature. O how much has 
the Lord to do in me ! May I prove his utmost power to save ! 
I am at a loss how to tell of his goodness ; it is so great, no- 
thing exceeds it but my unfaithfulness. The pains he is taking 
to make me meet for an inheritance among the saints in light, is 
astonishing. I sensibly find him giving me all the comfort I can 
bear. When low and depressed, he raises me up ; and when in 
danger of spiritual pride, he sends something which proves a 
proper ballast. He truly does all things well. What cause 
have I to praise him for all that is past, and to trust him for all 
that is to come. 

Nov. 23. Was much hindered in prayer this morning by 
wandering thoughts. This is a besetting evil of mine ; but in 
family prayer, my mind was more composed. I often feel more 
freedom from wanderings when praying with others than when 
alone. Promised myself much profit from visiting a Christian 
friend who is confined by sickness, especially as at first I found 
it a cross. When with her, I experienced such an insatiable 



42 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

desire after God— such an aching void within— such a keen con- 
viction of the emptiness of all created good, as more and more 
convinced me, 1 shall never enjoy that fulness my soul demands 
but in God. 

thyself reveal, 
Fill all this mighty void ; 
&ly canst my spirit till, 
my God, my God !" 

In prayer, 1 felt a power and sweetness which fully compen- 
ne for taking up the cross. In the evening, I enjoyed a 
tranquillity of mind, a sweet repose in the blood and bosom of 
I wished much to profit others and myself with pious 
conversation, hut they seemed determined to trifle. Through 
I did aot catch their spirit, though this is not always the 
case. A\ hen they left me, after some time spent in ministering 
to the sick, I went to prayer, and felt what I am not able to ex- 
press ; such a sinking into God as I hope one day constantly to 
enjoy. All around me seemed God :— eternity was at hand. I 
tasted the good word of God, and felt the powers of the world to 
come. 

Dec. 26. My joy was not so great to-day as usual. It was 
a calm peace, my mind was stayed on God. But toward even- 
ing, being with those who were not deeply serious, a degree of 
trifling and lightness of spirit hurt me, and disturbed that frame 
1 should wish always to enjoy ; I mean that state of mind arising 
irom a deep consciousness of the presence of God. My heart 
was taking an undue complacency in the creature, and this sel- 
dom fails to injure. When I retired, the Lord was exceedingly 
gracious, but this only served to give a pungency to my distress, 
bha 1 I never be able to give God my whole heart ? At times, I 
think I do ; but, being deceitful, it again insensibly departs from 
him. At other times, I see my danger, am on my guard, and 
overcome. I feel the frowns of the world not near so danger- 
ous as its smiles. How narrow the path that God marks out 
for those who would truly walk with him ; but, though strait, 
it is sate and sweet in proportion. It is only when I step out of 
that I feel distress. 

— — 31. Upon a review of the great goodness of God to me 
in the course of this year, I feel gratitude and love spring up 
even in my hard heart. O how unspeakably gracious has been 
the 1< ather of mercies ! I attempted to spend the evening and 
night in meditation, prayer, and thanksgiving, both in public and 
private, and found it comfortable and strengthening. O when 
shall every thought be brought into captivity 1 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 43 

CHAPTER IV.— 1769. 

Lady Maxwell's diary continued. 

Jan. 1, Sunday. I was very early and late engaged with God 
to-day, but could not obtain that heavenly gale I wished. The 
want of food and sleep had in some measure stupiiied my mind, 
but, in the morning, a sermon from " Trust ye in the Lord for 
ever," comforted and strengthened me ; and in the afternoon 
another from " All are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is 
God's," excited in my heart gratitude and love to him who had 
done so much for me. In the evening, while at prayer, I felt de- 
sirous of devoting myself wholly to God, and attempted to renew 
the dedication of all my powers to him. O, that it may be 
more effectual than ever, and that through grace I may be en- 
abled this year to adorn the gospel of God my Saviour in all 
things ! 

16. My mind was dull this morning, but the Lord soon 

after quickened me ; drew near and surrounded me with his pre- 
sence ; shone upon my soul, and in his light I clearly saw my 
own state, and spiritual objects in general. May the Lord make 
me faithful to the light he imparts ; I have much for which to 
answer. He clearly marks out the narrow path in which he 
would have me to walk ; shows me the most excellent way, but 
hitherto I have been exceedingly perverse. O Lord, let the 
time past suffice, and do thou magnify thy mercy above all thy 
name, in continuing to bear with me until I can all things do. 
My soul felt earnestly desirous this day to glorify God ; to em- 
brace every opportunity for doing good which might offer, and 
he graciously afforded me several, which I endeavoured to im- 
prove. The issue I leave with him. I find it hardly possible 
to retain the Spirit of God, to preserve a clear sense of his par- 
doning love alive in my soul, without being constantly employed 
in what has a tendency to glorify him, and to profit my fellow 
creatures. We may retain a fallacious hope that we enjoy the 
remission of sins, but our souls will not be alive to God ; at least, 
this accords with my experience. In proportion as I grow re- 
miss in attempting to act for God or my neighbour, my spiritual 
senses flatten, my perception of invisible things becomes dim ; — 
on the other hand, I seldom, if ever, embrace any opportunity 
of doing good, but it brings into my soul an additional degree of 
strength and comfort. But, alas! how dull have I been in learn- 
ing this important lesson, and how reluctant am I often to reduce 
it to practice. Sometimes overcome by a false modesty ; at 
others, a degree of langour, which overspreads my soul, and 
renders me inactive. Against this last evil, I find constant 
watchfulness necessary. 

Feb. 22. Since my last date (January 22) grief has obstructed 



44 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 



my writing, and I should scarcely now resume my pen, but 
that I find a record of my experience highly profitable. I have 
felt, and do still feel much, on account of the death of a dear 
friend. A sword has pierced through my soul in this dispensa- 
tion; and yet 1 have felt such an acquiescence in the will of God 
M J i have great cause to adore his 

condescension for the solace I enjoy, from a conviction that my 
departed friend is happy,— unutterably happy. Through abound- 
!V, for some time past I have been on the stretch for 
God. Eternity has appeared very near. I feel in a good mea- 
sure disunited from created things :— my spirit pants for ever- 
lasting rest, and struggles into God : my confidence in his par- 
doning mercy grows stronger, and my love to him is on the in- 
crease, with a stronger desire than ever to go hence, and to be 
With ( Jurist, which is far better. Words cannot express the ar- 
dent desire which I feel to be entirely devoted to God : to walk 
with him as Enoch; to cleave to him with Caleb's spirit; and I 
trust to see the happy day. Yet while I thus write, I am the 
subject of keen distress on account of my latent depravity ; my 
unprofitableness, unfaithfulness, and ingratitude in the midst of 
such amazing goodness. Lord, help : Lord, forgive ! 

March 14. For some time I have been confined with sickness. 
How gracious is that God I so feebly serve : he prepared me 
for this trial by causing his consolation to abound in my soul. 
In the former stages of this indisposition my peace flowed as a 
river, and death was not only deprived of his sting, but even 
seemed to wear a pleasing form. As the disease gained ground 
I was not so lively ; distress of body seldom fails to depress my 
spirits. After suffering awhile, the Lord has graciously raised 
me up again ; may it be to glorify him ! To-day he has blessed 
me with fervent desires after a higner enjoyment of the divine 
presence, and has given me an animating view of the land that 
is alar off. O my God, hear the cries of one on whom thou 
hast had mercy, and prepare my heart to receive whatever 

Christ has purchased for me : allow me not to rest short of it : 

put thou a thorn in every enjoyment, a worm in every gourd, 
that would either prevent my being wholly thine, or in any 
measure retard my progress in the divine life. 

May 6. Found, this morning, my soul sweetly conscious of 
her union with Jesus, and seemed in prayer and meditation to 
be sinking into him. Was tried in a tender point this forenoon, 
but found, through grace, power to give up my own will. I 
looked to the Lord, and fell that if his will took place, however 
contrary to my own, 1 should be perfectly satisfied. Being in 
company to-day with some persons who were not serious, I was 
in danger of sinking into lightness of spirit ; and though God 
heard my prayer, and enabled me in a measure to confess him, I 
was not so collected and deeply serious as I wished. What a 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 45 

privilege to be with those who are truly alive to God. How 
dangerous the spirit of the world : though seemingly innocent, 
yet, alas, how it unbends the mind, and prevents the full stretch 
of the heart after God. How shall I praise thee, O my Lord, 
that I am not obliged to dwell with such trifiers ? Great are my 
privileges : may I gratefully enjoy, and diligently improve them 
to thy glory.* 

28. Felt languid this morning, partly owing to the body, 

which often weighs me down. Each day witnesseth my ardent 
desires to live more to God than ever ; but, alas ! every return- 
ing night brings the painful conviction of a practice which bears 
comparatively but a small proportion to these desires. O when 
shall my life and conversation testify that I dwell in God, and 
God in me ! Lord, fulfil thy promises ! Felt desirous of doing 
something for God to-day, but had not the opportunities which I 
expected. Since I came hither, I have made many attempts, 
but as yet have seen little fruit ; yet so gracious is my Lord, 
that, upon my doing what he convinces me is my duty, he affords 
me comfort, for the most part, independent of success. O for a 
heart burning with love to his name ; with zeal for his glory ; 
and a power each moment to do and suffer his will ! This is my 
highest ambition ; were ten thousand worlds put in competition, 
how would I spurn them from me. At times this week I felt 
strong touches of the love of God and Christ : happy presages, 
I hope, of the flame to be one day enkindled in my soul, never to 
be extinguished, but to burn brighter and brighter until it mingles 
with the full blaze of eternal day. If not deceived, I feel my 
desires stronger and more abiding for the glory of God ; for an 
entire devotedness of heart and life to him ; and also more fer- 
vent wishes to bring others to the knowledge and love of the 
Saviour. This produces more power to act for God, and to 
confess him, than formerly ; accompanied with a constant fear 
lest I should see him dishonoured by others. Whenever I do 
see this, it pierces me to the quick ; on the contrary, when I 
perceive him acknowledged, it gives me a heartfelt joy. 

June 3. Was not remarkably alive to-day, but at night en- 
joyed sweet peace. In the course of the day, I found it a diffi- 
cult task to reprove a person who had spoken amiss. A fear 
of giving offence often proves a snare. We should desire to 
please all, so far as we can consistently with their edification : 
but when this desire prevents our being faithful to them, it be- 
comes^ serious evil ; of which, alas ! I am often guilty. Lord, 
pardon me. 

12. Have been mostly confined by bodily affliction 

since last date, and during that time my exercises of mind have 
been various. At seasons I was most earnestly desirous to be 

* On the 8th of this month, Lady Maxwell left Edinburgh to visit some 
relatives at a distance, and did not return until July following. 



46 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

devoted to God, and enjoyed the strongest breathings for power 
to do and suffer his will, as my heaven : this while, Jesus was 
precious, and seemed nigh ; but as I grew worse in body, my 
fears of death became painful. I also feared some severe and 
perhaps tedious illness was approaching, and felt not fully re- 
signed. Christ, in my apprehension, drew near to strengthen 
me ; and though by faith I saw him, and did not doubt of my 
interest in him, this did not overcome my fearfulness. This is an 
evil 1 have long groaned under; Lord, remove it, and give me 
that faith which 



" pain and death defies, 

Most vig'roua mien the body dies." 

In the time of sickness, I always appear to myself to lose 
ground : my natural spirits grow very flat, and I seem to sink 
from God. One reason for this may be, my complaints are 
chiefly of a nervous kind. This last illness has doubled my cries 
for entire resignation to the will of God : then all shall be alike 
welcome ; hut as yet I almost tremble at bodily distress, from 
what I have hitherto suffered. O my God, hear my prayer, dis- 
appoint my fears, and enable me in every situation to say cor- 
dially, " Thy will be done." 

20. Possessed power to fix the eye of my soul upon 

Jesus, and enjoyed some recollection of mind, with an earnest 
desire for more, yet was frequently interrupted. Was convinced I 
had several times through the day spoken more words than were 
necessary. for an entire victory over this unruly member. 
Wanderings also distress me : imagination, justly termed the fool 
of the house, is indeed an ungovernable faculty. How unprofita- 
ble the train of thought into which it often leads me ! My soul 
longs to have every movement of my mind brought into subjection. 

21. This has been a day of suffering. O that it may 

be for the farther purification of my soul ! The fiery darts of 
the wicked one have been shot at me with fury ; yet, blessed 
be the Author of all my mercies, he does not suffer the fiercest 
of my foes to rob me of my confidence ; though often, through 
anguish of soul, I do not derive that comfort from it which I 
otherwise might. The manner of Satan is, to darken, or at least 
to divert our eyes from the bright prospect, to fix them on the 
:e, v. bich he fails not to make as heavy as infinite 
Wisdom permits. To-day he has sought to prevail by endeavour- 
ing to harass me with apprehensions of coming evil; and by 
suggesting that I should not be able to endure, so as to glorify 
God ; that his promises would fail; that he would leave me to 
the power of my enemies ; and that I should dishonour him, dis- 
courage others, and fall into despair myself. But when in the 
hottest of the battle I looked up to the Lord, endeavoured to ex- 
amine the ground of my fears, and they vanished into smoke. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 47 

A secret persuasion filled my heart that the Saviour would fdl 
fil his promises, and that what I now suffered was to prepare 
me for greater things than I had yet seen. Indeed I have ever 
found that " pain is the parent, wo the womb of sound important 
good." A high veneration for the will of God causes me in 
every circumstance to cry earnestly for power to say, " Thy will 
be done." This I would constantly prefer to a removal of trials, 
being fully assured my happiness does not depend on an exemp- 
tion from distress, but in an unlimited resignation to Him who is 
boundless love and infinite wisdom. He knows, as it respects 
measure, weight, and duration, what " best for each will prove." 

my God, strengthen me, for I am weak as helpless infancy ! 
Thou, who knowest my heart ; thou, who canst not be deceived, 
even to thee, in the day of suffering, can I not appeal 1 The de- 

- sires I have to be wholly devoted to thee, — the sweet morsels 
thou hast enabled me to refuse, that I might accomplish it more 
fully, — the inviting enjoyments which lead even many of thy 
own children captive, and which surely of myself I could not 
have withstood, yet often er than once have been refused for 
thee, — with what I have again and again suffered before I at- 
tained my present state, are all, I humbly trust, evidences of my 
sincerity. And after all, can it be that I should fall short of the 
prize I have in view, entire devotion of heart and life to thee ? 
Forbid it, O my God, and do " exceeding abundantly above all I 
can ask or think." 

August 8. The Lord, who is continually loading me with his 
benefits, has twice this day remarkably interfered in my behalf. 
Surely he gives his angels charge concerning his people. 
Though I am poor and needy, he thinketh on me. In the even- 
ing he preserved me from broken bones, to which I was exposed 
by a fall : a few hours after, when walking home from the chapel, 

1 witnessed a most melancholy scene, occasioned by the falling 
in of the North Bridge.* I had passed over this bridge about 
four hours before, and was within less than five minutes of pass- 
ing over it again, when, almost in a moment, the greatest noise I 
ever heard (except on a similar occasion, when I was as remark- 
ably preserved) filled the air. It seemed as if the pillars of 

* The architect of this bridge was Mr. William Mylne, who agreed with 
the town council of Edinburgh to.finish the work for 10,140Z. and to uphold 
it for ten years. It was also to have been finished before Martinmas, 1769 ; 
but, on the 8th of August that year, when the work was nearly completed, 
the vaults and side walls on the south fell down, and nine people were buried 
in the ruins, and many more hurt. This misfortune w r as occasioned by 
the foundation having been laid, not upon the solid earth, but upon the 
rubbish of the houses which had long before been built on the north of 
High-street, and which had been thrown out into the hollow to the north- 
ward. Beside this deficiency in the foundation, an immense load of earth, 
which had been laid over the vaults and arches, in order to raise the bridge 
to a proper level, had no doubt contributed to produce the catastrophe 
above mentioned. — Enc. Perth., art. Edin. <) 17. 



48 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

nature were giving way. Instantly the cry resounded, — "The 
bridge is fallen." Amazement and fear sat on every counte- 
nance, each one dreading his own loss. The Lord preserved 
me in some measure composed, and my views were clear. O 
how precious did I feel Christ to my soul, and eternity appeared 
to open to rny view. The sensation of gratitude was so power- 
ful as almost to overcome me. The interposition of Providence 
conspicuous, and I felt so unworthy of it, that I was over- 
whelmed with astonishment. Gratitude and love to God my 
Saviour, who appeared nigh, flowed into my soul so as to render 
me almost unable to speak : indeed my thoughts were too big 
for utterance. On the first opportunity, I endeavoured to make 
a new surrender of that life so graciously preserved to him who 
was so well entitled to it. I had often done this before, but here 
was a fresh call. O my God, grant that this new obligation 
may produce greater devotion of heart and life to thee. 

Sept. 7. Was not well in body, but the Lord made me joy- 
ful in his house of prayer. Mr. W preached on 1st John 

iii, 2, " Beloved, now are we the sons of God," &c. He en- 
larged on the privileges of God's children, and mentioned several 
outward marks by which we might examine whether we were 
his people. The Lord made me sweetly sensible of his work 
on my soul. I feel grateful, also, that by the witness in my- 
self, he constantly assures me of my interest in his blood, with- 
out having recourse to these marks : yet these, at the same 
time, are corroborative evidences which cannot be overlooked 
without danger. "Was soon after in company, and, though with 
serious people, and conversing on serious subjects, my spirits 
were hurried. I am often sensible of intemperance both in 
speaking and thinking. Frequently, I suffer inconvenience from 
the latter when writing. Thought flows so plentifully into my 
mind, that I lose one half before I can properly arrange the re- 
mainder ; and from this cause sometimes do not write at all. 
The former also is a snare in conversation, causing me to speak 
much more than, upon reflection, I perceive I ought to have 
done. What I want is a constant self-recollection : the eye of 
my soul ever fixed upon Christ. Lord, give me this blessing, 
and enable me to stand perfect and complete in thy whole will ! 

Oct. 13. Since last date (Sept. 9) I have been in continual 
motion, having travelled above five hundred miles in search of 
health to soul and body. I ardently longed for an increase of 
the divine life, and hoped the journey would contribute toward 
it, as I enjoyed several opportunities of seeing and conversing 
with many happy Christians, and had much to remark of the 
goodness of God to myself. One interposition in my favour I 
hope never to forget. At one particular place he greatly re- 
vived my soul, uncommonly strengthened my faith in the pro- 
mises, and opened my mouth to speak for him in a manner that. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 49 

knowing my natural shyness of temper, makes me astonished. 
But when he commands, power is given to ohey. Yet, upon 
a retrospective view of this journey, I see much cause to blush 
and be ashamed. I feel as much contrition of heart on account 
of sin, and the total depravity of my nature, as ever I felt in 
my life. O my God, " wash my foul heart and make it clean." 

20. Have been sinking deeper in the knowledge of 

myself than formerly. With the prophet of old, I have been 
led from one chamber of imagery to another, and made to mourn 
for the secret abominations therein discovered. Had there not 
been joined to this painful discovery a deep sense of the mercy 
of God in Christ, my spirit would have failed before him. But, 
•while he sits as a refiner's fire upon my soul, he supports me 
by the consolations of his Spirit. In spite of my inward dis- 
tress, this last week has been a most comfortable one. The 
word in public proved very strengthening ; the work in my own 
soul sweetly according with it, while the Spirit of God clearly 
witnessed to both. I also enjoyed, especially in the Methodist 
chapel under sermons on Tuesday and Thursday night, an inex- 
plicable consciousness of my union with Jesus, a oneness with 
him that is better felt than expressed. 

Dec. 9. Found more power to-day in reproving sin than 
usual. I find it almost the hardest task I have, fearing lest peo- 
ple should imagine I do it from a self-righteous principle ; but 
this, unless my heart deceive me, is certainly not the motive by 
which I am actuated. Nothing could make me do it but the 
strongest conviction of duty, and an ardent desire to do the 
whole will of God. There is, I acknowledge, another motive 
which helps to determine me ; — a desire to be free from distress, 
and to enjoy comfort. The latter I seldom fail to obtain when I 
obey ; the former I am sure to feel if I refuse. Yet I am posi- 
tive the glory of God is with me the most powerful stimulative 
to duty, and has ever been so, since he gave his Spirit to wit- 
ness with my spirit, that I belong to him : but of late this has 
sensibly increased. 

29. Have endeavoured to do the will of God to-day, 

but have not had so much comfort in it as usual. Yet I desire 
to persist, and through grace to press vigorously on, in spite of 
all opposition, that I may at last obtain the glorious prize of un- 
interrupted communion with God here, and eternal glory here- 
after. Often does he own my labours, by comforting, support- 
ing, and animating my soul, and by filling me with an insatiable 
desire for power to be entirely devoted to him. The road to 
this, I know, is by endeavouring to be faithful to the light already 
imparted ; by believing constantly on Christ with a lively faith ; 
a faith always working by love and purifying the heart. Faith, 
genuine faith, is of a very active nature, leading its possessors 
continually to desire to be employed for the glory of God, and 
3 



50 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 



the good of mankind ; and, therefore, they endeavour to em- 
brace every opportunity for either which may offer ; nay, they 
will even seek for opportunities. O how does my heart pant to 
feel more of the transforming power of grace ! 

31. This being the last day of the year, I endeavoured 

to spend some special time with God at night, and had the com- - 
fort to find, upon examination, I had, upon the whole, made some 
small progress in his ways ; especially in zeal for his glory ; in 
power to act for him ; in desires after entire devotion, and also 
in faith and love. O how numberless have his mercies been to 
me in the course of the last twelve months : how graciously and 
tenderly, and also bountifully, has he dealt with me ! In some 
of his dispensations toward me his mercy has been so great, his 
love so astonishing, as no language can adequately describe. 
While meditating upon them, I have often been " lost in won- 
der, love, and praise." O my God, what am I that thou 
shouldst deal thus with me ? What shall I render unto thee 1 

" Take my body, spirit, soul, 
Only thou possess the whole." 

Maintain what thou hast wrought in me, and still keep me 
through faith, until thou hast fulfilled in me all the good pleasure 
of thy goodness. 



CHAPTER V.— 1770. 

Lady Maxwell establishes a school at Edinburgh — Retires to Saughton- 
hall — Has the gospel preached in her house — Diary continued. 

It was on the second of July in this year, that Lady Maxwell 
established a school in Edinburgh for the purpose of affording edu- 
cation and Christian instruction to poor children. The necessity 
of impressing the minds of the rising generation with scriptural 
truth was not, at the period alluded to, so deeply and extensively 
felt as at present. But her ladyship was fully alive to its vast im- 
portance, and her benevolence was not to be confined within the 
limits of common and every-day charities. As her heart devised 
liberal things, so she was studious to find out new methods of use- 
fulness, and her exertions could only be bounded by her abilities. 
This school" was ever after one of the objects of her pious soli- 
citude. Its sole management and superintendence remained 
with herself; but as the benefits flowing from it were seen and 
acknowledged, others came forward with pecuniary aid. Her 
ladyship was particularly careful to admit none as masters but 
men of undoubted piety ; frequently examined the children with 
regard to their improvement in knowledge and seriousness ; and, 
in a great number of cases, she was favoured with pleasing indi- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 51 

cations that a truly religious concern had been excited in their 
youthful minds. She has also recorded several instances of per- 
manent good ; — of persons who afforded, in mature life, decided 
evidence of established piety, and who gratefully acknowledged 
that their first religious impressions were received at this school. 
A few, after they had been absent from their native country a 
number of years, returned to offer their kind benefactress their 
tribute of thanks. But all the good that has been, and which 
yet may be done by this institution, will not be fully known until 
the grave gives up its dead. Each child, unless dismissed on 
account of improper conduct, went through a regular course of 
instruction for three years ; and at the expiration of that period 
a Bible was presented, to be their guide and companion through 
life. At the time of Lady Maxwell's death, eight hundred chil- 
dren had enjoyed all the benefits of this very laudable charity . 
and it is still in active operation ; her ladyship having, by her 
will, made provision for its existence so long as time shall last. 
May its energies never be diminished ! 

But in her endeavours to " save souls from death," she did not 
confine herself to the rising generation. Other barren fields 
needing cultivation soon presented themselves, and she entered 
upon the work with a pleasing alacrity. Having suffered much, 
for some time, from bodily indisposition, and hoping that a resi- 
dence in the country might be beneficial to her health, she re- 
moved for a short period to Saughton-hall, a venerable mansion 
at a small distance from Edinburgh. On witnessing among the 
villagers a prevailing carelessness with regard to religion, she 
became deeply interested for their spiritual welfare. That she 
might convey to them religious instruction, and if possible awaken 
them from their dangerous slumbers, she opened her house, in 
person invited them to attend, and engaged different ministers to 
preach unto them the unsearchable riches of Christ. Many 
gladly flocked to hear, and evidence was afforded that these 
labours of love were succeeded by the divine blessing. This, 
however, to some appeared irregular, and opposition was excited. 
" Let all things be done decently and in order," is certainly a 
divine injunction ; and there are some individuals who appear to 
think that to attempt to promote religion, or even to make any 
allusion to it, except under some consecrated dome, is a viola- 
tion of this precept. Happily for some of those villagers, Lady 
Maxwell thought differently, braved the opposition, persevered 
in her benevolent efforts, and had to rejoice in the work of her 
hands. To this practice she steadily adhered through life, when- 
ever she was called to reside in the country. Were the rich and 
noble of our land to follow her ladyship's example, and give their 
influence and energies to the support and extension of godliness, 
many an ignorant population would enjoy the means of more effi- 
cient instruction, and many a poor wanderer would be led into 



52 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

the way of peace. Frequent allusions to these interesting par- 
ticulars will occur in the course of the diary. 

January 1. This day should have been given especially to 
the Lord, being the first of the year: but He who cannot err 
saw meet to confine me to bed with pain and sickness. I could 
hardly fix my mind on any subject for five minutes together ; 
perhaps a chastisement for former evils, and surely deserved. I 
see more and more the propriety, or rather necessity, of making 
religion our chief business while in the enjoyment of health. 
How soon does disease disorder, at least partially, the faculties 
of the mind ; thereby rendering us unable to draw at times even 
any rational conclusion, with regard to the state of our souls : 

" ' Live while you live," the sacred penman cries, 
'And give to God each moment as it flies.'" 

How reasonable ; Lord, enable me so to do ! 

4. Had this evening the benefit of some hours, con 

versation with a sensible clergyman ; in the whole course of 
which I think a catholic and moderate spirit prevailed. Would 
we be preserved from bigotry, how necessary is it to accustom 
ourselves to think and speak on every subject, especially on reli- 
gion, with a liberal and generous freedom. Contending earnest- 
ly for fundamentals, while we cheerfully allow others to diner 
from us in doubtful opinions, and this without a diminution of 
love to them. Unquestionably we shall enjoy the greatest union 
of spirit with those whose sentiments are in all things similar to 
our own ; but we are also bound to love those who differ from us, as 
members of the same body, as living branches of the same vine. 

O my God, let this heavenly temper prevail in me ; deliver 
me entirely from narrowness of spirit, from contracted views, 
and enable me with a pure heart fervently to love all that 
love the Lord Jesus in truth. I cannot help being entirely of the 
opinion expressed by an author I lately read ; that. " no damna- 
ble error can dwell in a soul united by a living faith to Christ ;" 
but, at the same time, I believe the hay and stubble of many fool- 
ish opinions, built on that good foundation, will be burned in the 
day of the Lord, while the soul that had imbibed them will be saved. 

Feb. 9. This has been a day of much peace, both alone and 
when in company. My views were clear, my faith strong, and 
Jesus nigh; and, on a close examination as to the state of my 
soul, in the view of the approaching sacrament, I clearly per- 
ceived that a great change had passed upon me, which in the 
word of God is sometimes termed " a being born again," some- 
times, " a passing from death unto life," and again, " being trans- 
lated from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God's dear 
Son." My reasons for thus judging are, First, I found I had 
been convinced of sin, and brought into a state of bondage and 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 53 

fear. Secondly, I had been convinced of righteousness, where- 
by I had received power to believe on Christ, and found the 
Spirit of God witnessing with ray spirit that I was his child : and 
as a corroborating proof that my faith was genuine, I found that 
it wrought by love to God and man, and led me to purify my 
heart. Thirdly, I felt a continual hungering and thirsting after 
righteousness ; ardent and habitual desires to be wholly devoted 
to God ; together with a deep sense of the depravity of my own 
nature. 

13. Heard a profitable exhortation, and my heart 

seemed open to instruction and reproof. T stand amazed when 
I perceive how small a proportion my progress bears to my great 
privileges. Lord, quicken my tardy pace ! Wherefore is it I 
move so slowly ? If not deceived, I am in a great measure dis- 
united from created things, and my desires are boundless and in- 
satiable for spiritual blessings. Lord, search me, and see if there 
is yet undiscovered any way of wickedness in me, which, like 
the worm in Jonah's gourd, preys upon my spiritual constitution 
and keeps me thus lean. I was grieved to feel a proneness to- 
day to be displeased with others. Lord Jesus, thou art " mani- 
fested to destroy the works of the devil." O then, " enter my 
soul, and work within, and kill, and make alive." Destroy every 
evil temper, unholy passion, and unruly appetite ; save me from 
wandering thoughts, and idle words, with every foolish and hurt- 
ful desire. Let the leaven of thy grace spread, until the whole 
be leavened ; then shall I be enabled to adorn thy gospel. 

28. Found myself much hurried with a variety of 

persons and things, and had little comfort in secret duties, with 
but small power to glorify God in any way, or to resist my ene- 
mies. I have felt greatly defective for some days in love to God ; 
in power and composure when engaged in prayer ; and also a 
proneness to impatience, self-will, and bitterness of spirit. O 
my God, I am oppressed ; undertake for me : I ardently desire 
entire devotion to thee, but all my efforts toward it are unavail- 
ing. I seem to row against both wind and tide. O Jesus, of 
old thou didst command the winds and waves, and they obeyed 
thee ; do thou speak the tempest of my soul into a calm : " lay 
the rough paths of peevish nature even," and again " open in my 
breast a little heaven." In the afternoon, He who is rich in 
mercy, in some measure helped me, and in the evening I felt 
animated and comforted by conversing with a fellow traveller, 
whose sentiments concerning the things both of time and eternity 
are very similar to my own : yet nothing can satisfy but the de- 
struction of every thing in me that is contrary to the will of God. 
Without holiness there cannot be happiness. Lord, hear my 
prayer ; dry up this corrupt fountain, and unite me wholly to 
thyself, that I may glorify thee. 

April 1. At seven heard a lecture from John i, 18 ; under 



54 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

which the eye of my faith was clear as the shining of the sun at 
noonday ; Jesus seemed to stand in the midst, and I knew him 
as the Son of God, and as my Saviour. Amazing- mystery of 
redeeming love ! But, Lord, let me sink deeper and deeper every 
day in the experimental knowledge of it. O let me sink into all 
the depths of humble love, and also rise to all the heights of 
Christian confidence ; thu9, Lord, though a worm, I shall bring 
glory to thee ; without (strange notion of some) derogating from 
thy priestly office. O the various devices whereby Satan de- 
ceives the children of men ; not only the wicked into final des- 
truction, but, alas ! the children of God, whereby they suffer much 
loss, and fall far short of that degree of glory they might have 
brought him here, and of consequence have enjoyed themselves 
hereafter ; many of them escaping only as with the skin of their 
teeth. Lord, prevent me, else it will be my own case. 

25. This evening I ardently desired to go to the house 

of God ; and, upon getting there, for awhile enjoyed much com- 
fort ; but it was soon interrupted by bodily indisposition. I 
grieved to find I was so easily incapacitated to serve God ; and, 
upon coming home, was induced to retire hastily to rest ; not, 
however, without afterward questioning the propriety of my con- 
duct in so doing. I have never yet been able to determine, to 
my own satisfaction, the boundary of Christian duty in this par- 
ticular ; how far duty and privilege should lead me to resist oc- 
casional and slight indisposition, and persist in attempting to go 
on as if in health. I know I have frequently felt uneasy in my 
mind upon yielding too readily ; and, on the other hand, have felt 
comfort and obtained relief when I have resisted painful feeling. 
I also know that human nature in general is inclined to self- 
indulgence ; and, therefore, if we err, it is safest to err on the 
other side. 

27. Felt hurt to-day through unwatchfulness in conver- 
sation, though with the godly. I sometimes suffer more when 
with these than when with worldly people : with the latter, we 
are always on our guard : with the former, suspecting no danger, 
we loosen the reins of watchfulness, and then the enemy, ever 
waiting, easily gains an advantage. I also felt a degree of con- 
demnation on account of not doing more for others. I feel almost 
constantly a painful sense of my shortcomings. Blessed be God, 
I ki.ow we are justified by faith in Christ ; but then I know also 
it is my privilege to be wholly devoted to God ; to be employed 
every moment of my time either for or with him ; and that in 
proportion to the progress I make in the divine life here, the de- 
grees of conformity I gain to his image, so shall the degree of 
glory be which I shall enjoy with him hereafter ' What a stimu- 
lative should this prove. It is a poor, starving religion, if it de- 
serves the name at all, that would make us wish only to escape 
hell, and just to enter heaven. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 55 

May 7. I feel impatient with myself, I am so unlike Jesus, 
and make so little progress in conformity to him, though sur- 
rounded with precious means. Lord, lay to thy hand, that only 
can bring salvation ; and, O, let me enter into a fuller rest, sink 
into Christ, dwell in his wounds, be held in his heart, and lean 
on his bosom. O deliver me in heart and affection entirely from 
this scene of folly and sin : enable me to maintain a holy in- 
difference to its smiles and frowns. I feel a painful regret that 
I have done little for God to-day. O deliver me from inactivity. 

15. Endeavoured to spend some hours in the public 

worship of God, in what is termed by some a watch night. How 
reasonable is it, or rather what a privilege, sometimes to lengthen 
out our devotions ; how much for the Christian's comfort and 
profit. How much time does the worldling spend to amass 
things that perish even in the using ! How many hours will the 
drunkard give to his cups, the pleasure-taker to his amusements : 
and shall not the Christian, whose object is so much more glori- 
ous, be allowed at times also to exceed, the usual limits prescribed 
for worshipping God % " Who shall prescribe a law to those 
that love \ n 

July 2. Many opportunities occurred to-day for the benefit 
of others, which I attempted to use. O God, withhold not thy 
blessing. Do thou remarkably bestow it upon the school opened 
in thy name : may many souls be brought to a knowledge of thy- 
self in it. O God, we dedicate it unto thee ; bless it, and it 
shall be blessed. 

C. Enjoyed more life and composure of spirit in morn- 
ing devotion. At ten, went to the house of God, where I was 
both disappointed and grieved. First, by finding the word at- 
tended with no power ; and secondly, by observing the minister 
at much more pains to inculcate opinions, than to enforce the 
necessity of a change of heart, and a life of devotion to God. I 
cannot think that this controversial manner and method of preach- 
ing is the most likely way, either to awaken the unconverted, or 
to stir up Christians to press on for greater degrees of confor- 
mity to the mind and will of Christ. When it is much practised, 
I should be apt to fear the heart is not deeply impressed with a 
sense of divine things. 

August 14. Since my last noting in writing the Lord's deal- 
ings with my soul, I have been confined by bodily affliction ; in 
the course of it I experienced much languor upon my animal 
spirits, and also a degree of spiritual stupor. Before I was taken 
ill, I enjoyed much fervour of spirit ; every nerve felt on the 
stretch for God, breathing constantly and ardently after the 
knowledge of his will in all things, and for power to do and 
suffer it. I never had seen it in such an amiable light ; I felt 
willing to sacrifice all in order to attain. But, alas ! how little 
did I know myself When he showed me he willed my afflic- 



56 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

tion of body and mind, I shrunk back, unwilling to drink the bit- 
ter cup. He has again in a measure restored my bodily health ; 
but still I feel a languor upon my spirits, and am to my own ap- 
prehension not so much on the stretch for God. I believe this 
is partly owing to my nervous system being greatly debilitated. 

-29. Saughton-hall. Was enabled to embrace the op- 
portunities which offered to-day, both for giving and* receiving 
profit, and found them comfortable. It seems as my meat and 
drink to act for God. In the evening, I attempted to bring some 
to the knowledge of God, by having the gospel preached to them 
in the house : they flocked to hear, and the word seemed to fall 
with power on some. I felt this attempt to do good attended 
with much inward opposition, but afterward enjoyed much com- 
fort and Btrengtfa af soul. 

September 6. Felt life and power in family prayer this morn- 
ing. Of late the Lord gives me more comfort in this duty than 
formerly. He enables me to enter into the spirit of prayer, and 
to feel what I say. It was at first a great cross to pray in my 
family, but now I see it is a great privilege, and w r ould not 
give it up on any account. How often do I kneel cold and 
lifeless, and in a moment he quickens and comforts me. Bless 
the Lord, O my soul ! 

8. When I take a retrospective view of this day, it 

appears as a blank, because I have done nothing for God ; 
though I do not know that I have neglected any opportunity : 
but I long to be all for him ; continually employed for him. 
Many of the children of God are surprised at this language ; 
they think it not necessary to be thus employed ; that the Lord 
does not require it of us. I see it both necessary and a great 
privilege ; I find it quickens my own soul ; and that in propor- 
tion as I am alive myself, I am desirous for the salvation of 
others. I am firmly persuaded that continually attempting to 
fill up all our time with and for God, is the way to have our 
peace flow as a river, and our righteousness to be as the waves 
of the sea. This I speak fronuoxperience, and think on such 
a subject the strongest arguments may be derived from thence. 
At the same time, I feel fully convinced that salvation, from 
beginning to end, is all of grace. I bless God, I feel no desire 
but to build my hopes upon Christ. My heart deceives me much 
if I am what some call an Arminian in that point : though I be- 
lieve most people do Arminius injustice herein. I think it is 
others, not he, who build salvation on a mere moral plan : but, 
be that as it may, I leave him and all others to stand or fall to 
their own Master ; what I want is, the possession of every bless- 
ing Christ has purchased for sinners. 

12. Proved to-day how unprofitable it is to dispute upon 

the things of God. It is seldom attended with sweetness of 
spirit; and what truth is there against which there is not a pos- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 57 

sibility of raising some objection % But is this the most excel- 
lent way 1 Let us be satisfied that we are born of God, and 
then we have His promise who cannot lie : " They shall be 
laught of God.'' My faith, hitherto, has not stood on the wisdom 
of man, but in the power of Him who cannot err. Upon my 
first turning to the Lord, I was soon aware of the distraction 
and bitterness of spirit which prevailed among many otherwise 
good people ; owing to the variety of opinions which they had 
respectively embraced. This made me determine that God, 
and not man, should teach me. I therefore gave myself up to 
him, and entreated that he would, by his word and Spirit, lead 
me into all truth : not only into those principles absolutely neces- 
sary to be believed ; but also into matters of less consequence, 
that are most for his glory and the profit of my own soul. This 
request I often repeated, and have since found the benefit of it. 
It has kept me from holding any man's person in undue admira- 
tion ; and, of consequence, from implicitly following any. What 
had been written by different authors on both sides the question, 
I endeavoured to read with caution, and received nothing but 
upon satisfactory evidence. I find both safety and comfort in 
neither reading books, nor conversing with any person, without 
immediate application to the Lord, that I may receive nothing 
from either, but what is agreeable to his holy will. 

October 9. My unfaithfulness yesterday stirred me up to 
attempt greater vigilance to-day, and the Lord gave me opportu- 
nity and power ; and much sweetness and strength, as usual, 
immediately followed my feeble efforts. O how desirable it is 
to do the will of God ! I sometimes think being alloived to do 
this is reward enough, though I should not see any of the fruit 
of my labours ; but he is very gracious in condescending to show, 
at times, that my attempts are not always in vain. I do desire 
to glorify him : this by far proves the strongest stimulative to 
duty, and I think increases so as almost to supersede all other 
motives. For some days past, I have felt the deepest convic- 
tions of my helplessness, and inability to do any thing but as I 
am every moment assisted; and from thence has sprung deep 
gratitude to God for the gospel plan of salvation. It is well for 
me that I am to be saved by grace ; for I am nothing, have no- 
thing, and can do nothing. The Lord often causes me to dwell 
upon my own imperfections, follies, and miscarriages ; makes 
me sensible what a poor, wretched, miserable, comfortless crea- 
ture I should have been, if left to the efforts of nature ; and this 
makes me admire his bounty and goodness to me. But, notwith- 
standing this, I feel pride ; I am far from that deep humility 
which flows from a thorough knowledge of ourselves. O, how 
dull a disciple I am ! how often do I need to be reproved for the 
same fault ! O for power in all things, and at all times, to do 
the will of my God. I look for this : — this is the perfection I 



58 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

aim at. It is the highest idea I can form of happiness ; the 
most refined and exalted enjoyment of which I have any con- 
ception ; — living every moment in the spirit of sacrifice ; feeling 
my will sweetly flowing with his ! but this the power of divine 
grace alone can effect. My Jesus, what endless praises are due 
to thee, who hast purchased this great salvation; also to the 
eternal Spirit who applies it ; and to trace it up to the fountain 
head, to the ever blessed Father, who planned it in the councils 
of eternity. All glory, honour, and praise to the triune God. 

22. I seem to grow worse instead of better. O that I 

might believe this apprehension was occasioned by increasing 
light. 1 would not flatter myself, I wish to know the worst. 
Show me, Lord, as I can bear it, the depth of my depravity ; 
but let me also prove the utmost power of thy transforming 
grace. Wretched as I am, I still thirst for the glory of God 
and the salvation of my fellow creatures ; and would wish, if 
strengthened, to do or suffer any thing to procure both. Yet, in 
spite of this constant ardour, I have continual need to be stirred 
up to greater activity in the ways of God. I find a propensity 
to sink into a supine spirit : this, I believe, is in part occasioned 
by a weak body, together with a delicate nervous system and a 
natural inclination to solitude. Yet I think this last is well 
nigh conquered, by a strong desire to do all the good I can 
while in this vale of tears ; though herein I am circumscribed 
within very narrow limits. Were my abilities equal to my de- 
sires, my acts of beneficence would be diffusive as the rays of 
the sun, and numerous as the sands upon the seashore. 

Dec. 18th. I bless the Lord he has increased my commu- 
nion with himself to-day. I found it sweet, yea, seemed drawn 
by divine attraction, to leave the creature, in order to enjoy my 
God by prayer and meditation ; while a sensible communication 
seemed opened between my soul and the invisible world. What 
shall I render unto the Lord for all his goodness! Alas, how 
inadequate are my returns of gratitude, love, zeal, or activity. 
I have much cause to blush and be ashamed, and also to lament 
that my progress in sanctification is so small. In the evening 
read a sermon on the privilege of believers, especially in their 
communion with Christ. It proved a time of refreshing, a sea- 
son of love ; my views were clear ; my faith, love, and grati- 
tude were increased ; while the Lord clearly showed me that all 
this through grace was mine. " O wondrous grace, O bound- 
less love !" At night, while reading the noble testimony which 
many of old bore to the truth, both by their life and death, my 
soul felt more drawn out than for a long time, lor the whole 
salvation of God. I seemed to mount up on the wings of strong 
desire. 1 had grieved for many weeks for the want of this bless- 
ing. Since the middle of July last, when I was seized with a 
severe illness, I seemed in a great measure to lose it : I thought 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 59 

I had never fully recovered it, yet my enjoyment, as to the com- 
forts of religion, have been greater than they were even then. 
O what cause have I to praise the Lord, that since I came here, 
hardly a day has passed in which he has not given me a special 
token of his love, together with peace in believing. Indeed, he 
has never suffered me to give up my confidence since the happy 
day he blessed me with it. Once or twice, for a day or two, 
soon after I obtained peace, my evidences seemed a little cloud- 
ed, which threw me into a great distress ; but the Lord, who 
has abounded in all goodness to me, soon returned to me what I 
had lost ; so that these tossings seemed permitted, in order to 
fix me more solidly on the Rock of ages. " what shall I do 
my Saviour to praise !" 



CHAPTER VI.— 1771. 

Lady Maxwell's diary continued. 

Jan. 16. My communion with God and his dear Son has 
been delightful for some days past ; O to have it without those 
interruptions to which it has hitherto been subject ! Could I re- 
ceive an opinion embraced by many, my distress on this account 
would not be so great — which is, that God withdraws from the 
souls of his people without any offence given on their part. 
From the Scriptures, I think it rather appears to be their privi- 
lege to enjoy constant communion with him. In John xiv, 23, 
he seems to promise it : " If a man love me he will keep my 
words ; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, 
and make our abode with him." In all the places of the Old 
Testament I recollect at present, sin is by God assigned as the 
only cause of punishing his people, or of keeping back from 
them any good thing : but in this, as in all things, I would wish 
to be open to conviction. I desire to bless his holy name, that, 
though I feel a difference as it respects the degrees of commu- 
nion I enjoy, yet he never takes from me the witness of his 
blessed Spirit. O what cause for praise. In the evening felt 
access to God in prayer, and power to make my wants known to 
him. 

Feb. 11. Heard a profitable sermon on Rom. viii, 32. To- 
ward the end, when the minister addressed himself to the chil- 
dren of God, I felt a sweet consciousness of being one of them. 
This was immediately followed by an anxious, earnest desire, to 
be entirely devoted to him ; and a painful conviction of my short- 
coming. I deired to be in secret, that I migbt pour out my 
heart to God : but when I got by myself, found a want of holy 
violence in prayer. Lord, let me not rest short of being wholly 
given up to thee. I see this at a distance, and how much is 



60 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 



it to be desired, — walking with God. For several days have 
enjoyed much sweetness in the exercise of waiting upon God; 
desiring his will should lake place, and that in all things I should 
jned to it. 1 have many things depending at present; 
many fears, cares, and trials; but find some comfort in giving 
them all up to him. I hope he is in some measure weaning me 
from created things. Lord enable me to say, 
" 'Tis done, the great decisive part, 
The world's subdued, and heaven has all my heart." 
" We are chained to this world by strong ties," says a good 
man, " and every sorrow cuts a string, and urges us to rise ;" 
therefore I would bless God for all, but most for the severe. He 
did indeed choose me in the furnace of affliction. He took all, 
and then he gave me all ; for he gave me his dear Son, and 
having him I have all things. O for a deeper acquaintance with 
him, a closer union and greater conformity. 

March 2. I have been much hurried for some days, and va- 
riously tried ; yet the Lord so comforts and supports me that I 
hardly wish to get out of the furnace. I never felt so much 
reconciled to the cross : it is, I find, productive of many good 
effects. It weans us from the world, from self, softens the" heart, 
and breaks the stubborn will ; yet this only through grace. 1 
feel a disposition to lie as clay in the hands of my divine Potter. 
I believe when the cross ceaseth to be necessary, I shall suffer 
no more. Lord, carry on thy work in me in thy own way. En- 
deavoured to embrace the opportunities that offered for the good 
of others these few days past. However unable to effect this, 
my desires are no less than usual, and the Lord still continues 
to own my feeble efforts. 

2'2. To-day I feel unwell in body, but I bless the Lord 

for peace of mind, and some communion with himself; this sup- 
ports me under the pressure of various trials. " It is good for a 
man," ^ says the mournful prophet, " that he bear the yoke in his 
youth." I have found it so for years. The medicine was in- 
deed bitter, but since the cure has been in any measure effected 
by it, it is great cause of thankfulness. I would still, O my 
God, desire to be as clay in thy hand, and not give place to one 
murmuring thought : and if (as I believe it is) for thy glory 
would farther desire, with thy .servant of old, to count it all joy 
when 1 fall into tribulation. " Alas, I am far from this! O my 
God, how much is still to be done in me ; work for the glory, of 
thy great name ; and let, O let me enter into rest, that I may 
praise thee! Have felt at times to-day a cloud of grief ; not 
darkening, but pressing down my soul. There may be sorrow 
without sin. There is, I think, a degree of this that has its 
foundation in simple nature, which doth not render us culpable 
in the sight of God. Lord, my sighing is not hid from thee; 
neither are the causes of it. I commit all to thee ; O let it be 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 61 

in well doing. What, in a great measure, quiets my mind under 
every event which befalls me, is, resolving all into either thy ex- 
press or permissive will : and as such, I feel it precious, how- 
ever otherwise afflictive. Yet at times my distress receives a 
pungency, from a thought that frequently passes through my 
mind, viz., that by my sins I constrain God to chastise me. 
Lord, I would not willingly offend thee ; it causes grief when I 
do. Alas, that I need so often to sorrow on this account. O 
Jesus, how precious art thou to me, who feel I come short in all 
I do, and in many things offend. 

April 12. Found power through grace to thank God, yea, to 
rejoice that I was disliked for Christ's sake ; yet nature seemed 
to think it severe. My soul was grieved this forenoon with the 
workings of corruption ; O for victory. Of late, I have felt a 
painful consciousness of my unprofitableness. I seem to live for 
no good end. Lord, stir me up, and give me power to do some- 
thing for thee ; and do thou enlarge my borders. O let every 
power, faculty, and talent be sanctified and set apart for thee. 
Thou, Lord, knowest what a grief of soul it is to me, that my 
abilities at present are circumscribed within such narrow limits. 
Had I millions, I would glory in using all to promote thy cause 
in the world. O make me faithful in the small matter thou hast 
committed to my trust. 

May 4. The Lord enabled me to rise early, in order to wait 
on him this morning ; and though I did not obtain what I want- 
ed, yet I find, in general, my expectation of the blessing is weak- 
ened or strengthened according to my diligence in the use of 
the means of grace which God has appointed. It certainly is 
the rankest enthusiasm to expect any blessing without the use of 
means. May the Lord give me that measure of grace which 
will enable me to work as diligently, in the way pointed out by 
the oracles of God, as if my acceptance and whole salvation de- 
pended on it ; and yet at the same time to trust no more to it 
than if I had not done so. 

June 17. Opportunities occurred to-day for the spiritual and 
temporal good of others, which I attempted to improve ; the 
Lord only can give a blessing. Angels themselves, without this, 
would be of no service ; and with it the meanest creature may 
do good. In the evening, obtained power to take up my cross 
and follow the Lord : though it was not succeeded by any par- 
ticular blessing, yet I find every step taken in the unfrequented 
path of self-denial is of use. It strengthens our confidence in 
the pardoning love of God, and weakens the principle of self- 
indulgence, to which we have a strong natural propensity. 

22. Being the fast day before sacrament in Leith, 1 

set apart all the forenoon for prayer, reading, meditation, and 
self-examination ; and all the day and night for abstinence : and 
though very dull when I began the work, I have reason to say 



62 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

the Lord was gracious. He seemed to melt down my heart 
under a sense of repeated backslidings (at least partial ones) 
from himself; showed me the evils that remained in my heart 
and life ; and at the same time showed me the things that were 
freely given me of God. He gave me strong desires that what- 
ever was amiss might be rectified, and what was lacking might 
be supplied. Upon a retrospective view of my state since last 
at the Lord's table, I have much reason to mourn that instead 
of having gained ground I seem to have lost some. I do not 
find such firmness in taking up my cross, nor such constant self- 
denial as I have experienced. O my God, have mercy on me, 
and let me not sink from thee : stir me up for the glory of thy 
name. Enjoyed a sweet time in secret prayer to-day, and 
thought I was enabled in faith to plead a promise, forcibly ap- 
plied to my mind some time ago, and which I imagined many 
months since the Lord was about to accomplish : but these fair 
appearances he permitted to be blasted, (perhaps to try my 
faith,) and my expectations grew faint ; though still in a mea- 
sure I believed the promise could not fail, " that it was for an 
appointed time, and in the end would speak." I was therefore 
encouraged to wait for it ; and for some days I have been ena- 
bled to " hope against hope." Yesterda)-, I seemed by faith 
to anticipate its accomplishment, though without any know- 
ledge of the time when " I had fainted, unless I had believed to 
see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." " Wait 
on the Lord, be of good courage," O my soul, " and he shall 
strengthen thine heart ; wait, I say, on the Lord." Though 
surrounded with a variety of trials, temptations, and inward con- 
flicts ; with the concurrence of many outward circumstances, 
which have a natural tendency to depress and weigh thee down ; 
yet still trust in thy God, and glorify him in the fires. He has 
delivered, he does deliver, and he will still deliver. O, what 
good cause have I still to trust in him for all things, when he 
has so clearly revealed his dear Son in me ; and even in my 
deepest distress, whether from within or without, never permits 
me to lose sight of a reconciled God, or of my union with his 
blessed Son. What an unspeakable blessing : well may this 
support me under every pressure. But how little acquainted 
with the divine life are those who think and say that there can 
be no distress of soul where there is a constant sense of an in- 
terest in Christ. I feel the falsity of this assertion. What 
numberless waves of sorrow have gone over my head, even in 
the space of the last twelve months, many of them, indeed, if 
not all, unknown to the world, though many of them were from 
it. I confess in them all the Lord graciously supported me, and 
in many of them he richly comforted me. He caused his con- 
solations so to abound, that upon a review I do not think I should 
with to have been exempted from any one of them, except those 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 63 

my sin and folly brought on me. I cannot think that these could 
be either for the glory of God, or the good of my soul. 

Edinburgh, Newtown, July 19. Since my last date in 
June, I have been variously hindered, and have moved from my 
lodgings to this place, which, in all probability, will be the last 
remove, till I go hence to be no more seen. I trust the Lord 
will give me peace in this place, and greatly increase me, even 
with all the increase of God. This new habitation was early 
dedicated to God ; the foundation was laid in prayer ; it was car- 
ried on and finished with prayer ; and again, when I came into 
it, it was solemnly devoted to him. Before that he had owned 
it, and in the space of two weeks that I have been in it he has 
given me sweet intimations of his love, the privilege of many 
prayers from his servants and people, who also have dedicated 
it to him. O my God, do thou make it a habitation for thyself 
to dwell in ; let thine eyes be toward it for good, and thine ears 
open to the prayers that shall be put up in it. 

21. My spiritual joys have not been so great to-day. My 

time has been much occupied for the good of others, but I did 
not feel such nearness to God, neither such a clear perception 
of divine objects as usual. Is there to be obtained, while here, 
such a stability in the ways of God, as will render out feelings 
always alike ? Ah ! no, — the union subsisting between the soul 
and body is so close and intimate, and the latter necessarily sub- 
jected to such a great variety of changes from different causes, 
that these must unavoidably, more or less, affect its immaterial 
companion. One would almost regret that, agreeably to the 
present laws of human nature, we can receive no impressions 
but through the gross medium of matter. What a glorious 
prospect does revelation afford us, when this mortal shall put on 
immortality; "when we shall know even as we are known." 
We shall then at first sight perceive causes and their effects, 
without the tedious process of reasoning; every faculty of the 
soul will be enlarged, made perfect, and commensurate with the 
objects and enjoyments of the heavenly country ; but above all, 
we shall, if truly good, for ever bask in the beams of redeeming 
love. How surprising, that the thoughts of such amazing bliss 
do not prove a stronger stimulative in our Christian course ! 
Why, my soul, so languid 1 why not always praising 1 Lord, 
forgive my dulness ; O kindle a greater flame of divine love in 
my heart, and let it never be extinguished, but burn brighter and 
brighter till it mingles with the blaze of eternal day. 

23. I bless God I have peace, but I do not feel the lively 

actings of faith ; that inexpressible sweetness which flows from 
a close communion with God, with which, through superabound- 
ing grace, I am often favoured. How many persons, things, and 
places have striven for my heart ; but still, through the agency 
of an invisible Power, the scale turns in favour of God and eternal 



64 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

things. I see, I feel the vanity of all below ; and yet, how 
often, for a time, am I overcome with those very things which I 
in my judgment despise. This proves what an overmatch pas- 
sion is for reason ; it proves, also, how far we are fallen from 
that rectitude in which man was at first created ; but, above all, 
it convinces me what a debtor I am to God : who, without vio- 
lently controlling my will, has often, by a sweet omnipotence, 
interposed, and drawn me from many things and persons that 
would have otherwise proved hurtful ; arresting (if I may use 
the expression) both my judgment and affections. Evermore, 

my God, do thou thus guide and overrule my determinations, 
both in heart and life, till thy love has made an entire conquest. 

August 2. My spiritual joy has in a measure subsided, and 
settled into a calm sweet confidence in God, with a delightful 
consciousness of my union with Jesus. How far superior is this 
heartfelt knowledge of God, to ihe abstracted and metaphysical 
reasoning of the schools. While our knowledge of divine things 
rests only on this latter evidence, its influence must be very fee- 
ble ; not sufficient to enable us to resist temptation, or to perse- 
vere in the path of virtue and true goodness. Found my soul 
strengthened and comforted to-day by helping others in the good 
way. 

5. This has truly been a sweet day. I have enjoyed 

close communion with the beloved of my soul. Jesus has been 
very near, and as visible to the eye of faith as ever a material 
object was to the eye of the body. This language, to those who 
are unacquainted with experimental religion, must appear quite 
unintelligible, but " he that believeth hath the witness in him- 
self." True, indeed, this is an argument for the truth that can 
have weight with none but those who feel it. O that I could 
convey its powerful effects to the hearts of all. Was a good deal 
hurried through the day, but, having instant access to the tower 
into which the righteous run, I enjoyed much comfort. How 
blessed are those whose God is the Lord. But O, I long to feel 
more of the sanctifying influences of those manifestations of di- 
vine love. How unlike am I to Jesus ! How little of his mind 
do I possess ! In the evening, walked out with a Christian 
friend : my heart felt aspiring to God : I saw his name on all 
around me : the sky was unclouded and serene, — a lively emblem, 

1 thought, of a soul at peace with its Maker. Endeavoured to 
improve the time by religious conversation, and also dared to re- 
prove notorious offenders. Were I to follow my natural inclina- 
tions I should wish never to find fault, but by the silent repre- 
hension of a better conduct. The oracles of God, however, are 
so clear in pointing this out as a duty, and it is so written on my 
heart, that when I disobey it brings distress. I am therefore 
constrained to do violence to myself, rather than hurt my own 
conscience and grieve the Spirit of grace. I confess it requires 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 05 

much prudence and wisdom to determine the manner and the 
time : a deep consciousness of this often deters me. 

7. Alas, I have done little or nothing for God to-day. 

I lontf to be active as fire for him, and steady as the needle to 
the pole. I seem at present to lead a useless life. Lord, point 
out my way ; show me if there is any thing I can do for thee. I 
grieve to live as a piece of live lumber in the world. I hope to 
have yet something to do ; what it is I know not. I trust this 
hope and desire flow not from ostentation, but gratitude to that 
God who has done so much for me. Had I thousands, I think, 
through grace, I would spend them in propagating the gospel, in 
spreading the knowledge of Jesus, " that blessed name that 
charms my fears, and bids my sorrows cease." O what music 
is in the sound. Often when I read or hear it, my heart (if I 
may use the expression) vibrates like a musical chord when its 
unison is struck. 

25. In the evening, though indisposed, felt much desire 

to go to the house of God ; which I did, but was disappointed. 
The word came with no power, and my joy was a little inter- 
rupted from a consciousness of unfaithfulness. This by some 
may be termed a legal spirit ; yet I can hardly see it pos- 
sible how a real Christian can converse with the word of God, 
and also study his own heart and experience, and not be sensible 
that his comfort increases or diminishes according to his close 
or careless walking with God. I do not know that any can be 
more willing to ascribe the whole of man's salvation to free grace ; 
yet, I confess, I see such a close connection between the recep- 
tion of this grace, and a constant attempting to walk before God 
unto all well pleasing, and a diligent use of every ordinance of 
the Lord's appointing — that, to speak my own experience, I never 
in any measure separate them but I suffer loss in my soul. Yet 
in this and all other matters, I would speak with the greatest 
modesty, conscious of my ignorance ; and therefore desire never 
to advance my own opinion, either in conversation or writing, 
upon any subject, without wishing, if it be wrong, that I may be 
convinced of it, either by God or man. 

28. I have cause to remark the goodness of the Lord, 

who has in some measure appeared to me in a particular trial, 
tbe weight of which in part I still feel and fear. There are some 
occurrences in the course of Providence which, taken separately, 
or only considered in themselves, seem of little account, espe- 
cially to the careless spectator ; but, when viewed by the eye of 
faith, appear impressed with such remarkable characters of the 
divine favour and special goodness as add greatly to their in- 
trinsic value. They then bring with them a sweet and powerful 
conviction of the interposition of a divine agency in our behalf. 
In the course of my small experience in the divine life, I have 
much to record of the goodness of the Lord as manifested in this 



66 LI *"E OF LADY MAXWELL. 

TfTove? h ° W ^ Sh ° rt d ° l C ° me in my retUrns for such P mm 

anfpT 6mbe , r 5> T }' lS mornin ?> whi1 ^ in secret prayer, the Lord 
gave me a clear and strong persuasion that he was about to work 

and^th t h 1V T> ranCe f ° r T'u and Seemed t0 8how me in w ^ way ; 
and that, by the accomplishment of a certain event, it was his 
w 11 to make good the promises powerfully impressed on my 
mind some years ago. The impression continued strong all the 

SV U 'M at ( nyei 'J Cned earnestl y t0 him > ^at if an enemy 
had done this he would rebuke the adversary, and obliterate S 
remembrance of it but it still continued. If from himself, I felt 
as clay ,n the hands of the potter, willing to be moulded as he 
saw n„ i I : Day, my natural will seemed quite broken, and sweetly 
flowed with his. I purposely refrain from mentioning the par2 
culars of this manifestation till the accomplishment of these pro- 
mses proves it to be of the Lord. He has in great mercy 
hitherto kept me from being deceived by dreams, vision rS 
tions, and all the train of evils consequent upon giving implldt 
credence to every impression made upon the mindf^Zrf 
which owe their birth only to the operations of Satan, or a heat- 
ed imagination ; and I trust he will still keep me. But entirely 
distinct from this roUd fire are the clear intimations which the 

to do for e8 t^° Per -5. t Ume, V° gh ' e h i S P e °P le of what he * about 
of tSZ / ■ 61 i the u r m the 7 ay ° f deliveran ce from trouble, or 
of particular trials that are about to befall them, where perhaps 
his glory and the good of their souls are concerned. £ 

^ agreeable l0 the experience of scriptural saints, as clearly 
appears from the account given of Abraham, Joseph &c, and 
wC TT 6d bythG teStim0n ^ of many now living; among 
vvhom, if I may mention myself, I would say, poor and undeserv? 
StrlM! L ° rd , haS cond , esce nded, } oft P ener than once or 
^fifa? WUh me - ° h ° W famm ^ d ° eS G0d ** 

~, 27> . * feel , a " increasing desire to be active for God. 
and a growing zeal for his glory. For some little time my 

Tan TTf ha Jf b f n ,r St ir° nfined t0 this one thing,,, J 
can I do for the Lord? Alas, my sphere is small, mv circle 

Srr "? S ° m y^T Compass kingdoms and 
would subdue nations to God. O that my borders were enlarged 
I partly believe they will. How are our fallen natures d gnified 
by being permitted and empowered to love and serve God yea 
in being made partakers of the divine nature ! How unfathom- 
able the depths of redeeming love! Lord, strengthen and sUr 

ttfv %ZT?< i 1 7i 8erVant l ° dedare th ^ l0vin ^ kind ™ ss > t0 tea- 
wnrtvf t 7 f aith,ulne f' yf ^ to proclaim to all that thou art God : 
wfth I f P u aiSed ?? d had in reve ^nce. Alas, that I mee 
v i ith so few who are like minded. Most think it is enough if 
they save their own soul. Some suppose it is presumpto ; 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 67 

that, Uzzalike, they will be smitten by the Lord, if they put 
their hand to the ark. Others (strange imagination !) think, if 
they were to be active in the cause of Christ, or show any zeal 
for the glory of God, it would be to establish their own righteous- 
ness, a building salvation on a moral plan, and a pretending 
to add something to the finished salvation of Christ. For fear 
of this, they dare not do any thing. They sit down with their 
hands across, and rest satisfied that whatsoever is ordained will 
come to pass. Unquestionably, " known to God are all his 
works from the beginning," and his work shall be wrought, 
though not by them. They will lose much of the comfort they 
might have enjoyed here, and a great degree of that glory he 
would have given them hereafter. " For as one star differeth 
from another star in glory, so also is the resurrection of the 
dead." O, when shall we see that generous spirit of piety which 
prevailed among the primitive Christians revived 1 They were 
not satisfied with barely saving their own souls ; they used all 
their influence for the good of others and the glory of God ; all 
they had was devoted to his service. Not from mercenary 
views, or from supposing they could thereby gain eternal life. 
No, — a much more generous motive stimulated their endeavours. 
The love of Christ constrained them. What a pity that this 
noble incentive to duty does not operate in a more powerful 
manner upon their successors. I am afraid the love of the world 
constrains many of them to a very different conduct. They do 
not enter so deeply into religion as to enjoy the comfort of it ; 
of consequence, they seek happiness in the creature. This takes 
their hearts from God, and makes them drive heavily on in his 
ways ; and perhaps, at last, when they come to die, they escape 
as with the skin of their teeth. It is hardly possible to express 
the folly of this conduct ; it shows the deep and universal depra- 
vity of human nature ; that men can prefer the husks of this 
world to communion with God. His will is, that we should 
walk all the day long with him, Enochlike, eying his glory in 
all we do, and consecrating all we have and are to him. This 
the apostle terms our reasonable service, but is it not also our 
highest privilege ? Lord, let my future conduct show continually 
that I esteem it such ! O save me from the errors that are so 
rampant among the professors of Christianity, in precept and 
practice, upon the right hand and the left. From dwelling too 
much upon the privileges of the gospel to the neglect of its 
precepts ; and also from the leaven of Pharisaism, in supposing 
that the strictest attention I can pay to the duties of religion 
will merit my acceptance with God. May both be kept in their 
proper place. 

December 11. I now take up my pen to set up my Ebenezer, 
saying, " Hitherto the Lord hath helped me." Since my last 
date, he has appeared wonderfully in my behalf, and given me 



68 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

to find it is not in vain to trust him. This he has enabled me 
to do for some time more than usual, even when all things 
seemed to make against me, and I have not been disappointed. 
He has wrought out a present deliverance for me, not in the 
way I looked for, but in his own way and time, which is best. 
This instance of his seasonable goodness has increased my faith, 
confirmed my hope, and strengthened my love. O that my 
future life may be wholly devoted to Him who has done so much 
for me, and who has given me cause to expect still greater 
things. This is wholly a temporal deliverance, but at the same 
time stands connected in some measure with my profession as 
a disciple of Jesus : and is such a proof to me of the faithfulness 
and goodness of God, as I hope will prove very useful to me, in 
enabling me to trust in him with an unbounded confidence for 
the future. 

19. I found the Beloved of my soul near in morning 

devotion ; and in the forenoon my mind felt sweetly led out in 
heavenly meditations : all around me seemed God. With what 
propriety does the apostle say, " To be spiritually minded is life 
and peace." The soul that enjoys communion with God can 
witness the truth of the assertion. In proportion as this divine 
life prevails, a deadness to the things of time and sense increases, 
the perception of heavenly objects grow? clearer, the soul sees 
God even in outward things, and endeavours to make his glory 
the ultimate end of every action ; she consults him on all occa- 
sions, and finds direction in the minutest steps of life : whatever 
occurs, whether joyous or grievous, is carried to a throne of 
grace, where a degree of holy familiarity and nearness is allowed 
which is better felt than expressed. There the happy soul, 
without any reserve, pours all her joys and sorrows, her hopes 
and fears, into the bosom of a reconciled God and Father. If a 
trial is feared, it is either averted or power is given to bear it 
like a Christian. All desire of worldly things is lost, except as 
they stand more immediately or remotely connected with the 
glory of God ; and, even in that case, all dependence upon an 
arm of flesh for obtaining them is removed. If a babe in Christ 
can witness the truth of these things, O what do the fathers en- 
joy 1 My God, let me know by happy experience. 

20. Endeavoured to set apart this day for prayer, ex- 
amination, and fasting, as far as my constitution would permit; 
and I have cause to be thankful I felt a greater degree of heaven- 
ly mindedness than I generally feel on these occasions ; and, if 
my heart did not deceive me, found reason to conclude I was 
not going back in the divine life. My reasons for thinking so 
were, First, my feeling for some time a greater power to cast 
all my cares on God and to trust in him than usual. Secondly, 
what follows of course, less dependence upon an arm of flesh. 
Thirdly, greater love to God, and more pow r er to own him and 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 69 

his cause before men. Fourthly, greater stability in his ways, 
and also more comfort, together with a growing desire to be 
wholly conformed, at least so far as humanity will permit, to his 
holy will. But O what cause did I also feel to blush, grieve, 
and be ashamed. Lord, rectify what is amiss, supply what is 
lacking, and give not over striving with me, till thy love has 
made an entire conquest, till I am lost and swallowed up in 
thee. 



CHAPTER VII.— 1772. 

Remarks on the duty of fasting — On the sacrament of the Lord's supper — 
The manner in which it is administered in Scotland — Diary continued. 

It was about this period that Lady Maxwell commenced a prac- 
tice which has been already briefly adverted to, that of setting 
apart every Friday for the duties of fasting, self-examination, and 
prayer. To these solemn exercises, on this day, she regularly 
and conscientiously attended throughout the remainder of her 
life ; and at these seasons she was generally favoured with more 
than ordinary consolation. How is it to be accounted for, that 
the duty of fasting is at present so little regarded by the gene- 
rality of religious professors ? The fast days of our forefathers 
are nominally retained ; but there is abundant reason to suspect 
that the name of the thing is nearly all that remains of it. Is it 
because Christians have adopted a more regular and abstemious 
mode of living now, than did those of former times ] Or, be- 
cause some have attached a superstitious importance to this 
matter, do professors think it may be totally neglected by them 
with impunity ? " Fasting," says Jeremy Taylor, " is a proper, 
apt, natural, usual expression, and an exercise of repentance ; it 
has some natural and many collateral advantages." "It is," 
observes another distinguished divine, " a help to prayer ; par- 
ticularly whea we set apart large portions of time for private 
prayer. Then especially it is, that God is often pleased to lift 
up the souls of his servants above all the things of earth, and 
sometimes to raise them up, as it were, to the third heavens." 
It will be seen that Lady Maxwell, in her attendance to this 
duty, realized in her experience all the advantages here described. 

" The light in which her ladyship viewed the communion of 
the body and blood of her Lord deserves also to be particularly 
noticed. She looked upon this as an act of obedience to a 
solemn, binding command of her Redeemer, given at a time and 
under circumstances so awful and endearing to Christians, as 
should cause it ever to live in their remembrance ; she viewed 
it aa fprming a bond ef union among God's faithful followers, as 
being one of the nearest Jpproaches to Deity, and most intimate 



70 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

participations of himself ; as furnishing one of the choicest means 
of grace, in which God seals his children ; she moreover consi- 
dered it as a practical avowal of the Christian's attachment to 
his Lord, and a public renewal of his covenant engagement. For 
her to have learned that there were in the world Christian per- 
sons, professing the power of godliness, and declaring their love 
to Christ ; zealous in their attendance on prudential means of 
grace, yet living in the glaring neglect of this divinely instituted 
ordinance, would have appeared to her such an anomaly in reli- 
gion as to involve in itself a palpable contradiction. These 
views were in nowise peculiar to herself. This is the light in 
which the Lord's supper is viewed by every serious person in 
Scotland, while its binding obligation on every Christian is ac- 
knowledged even by the profane. It is there considered as the 
test or sign of church membership ; and how far any kind of 
connection with the Christian church can constitute a member of 
the universal church of Christ at all, without commemorating his 
dying love as opportunity may offer, is a question fairly open for 
discussion. The stress, likewise, which the ministers north of 
the Tweed lay on a proper observance of the Christian pass- 
over ; explaining its nature, displaying its use, describing the 
qualifications necessary to a worthy and profitable participation 
of it, and urging its indispensable obligation — all of which are 
warranted by Scripture, and justified by the importance of the 
ordinance ; have a tendency to awaken general attention, excite 
desire, and draw a full attendance on those occasions ; and, as 
great expectations are raised, so spiritual profiting most fre 
quently ensues. Lady Maxwell delightfully embraced every op- 
portunity of this kind, not only at one but at different churches, 
and also at the chapel where her attendance w r as constant ; and 
generally, if not invariably, she experienced them to be times of 
refreshing from the presence of the Lord. 

In some of the extracts which refer to those seasons, her lady- 
ship will be found expressing her thankfulness for having been 
enabled to remain until the close oF the ordinance. To a person 
unacquainted with the nature of a Scottish sacrament, such allu- 
sions will need explanation. In the populous parishes, and espe- 
cially in the cities and towns, the number of communicants is 
so great that the service is generally continued for several hours. 
Not unfrequently from eleven in the morning until four in the 
afternoon ; so that few persons can conveniently remain the 
whole of the time. The manner also in which the elements of 
bread and wine are distributed, and the lengthened addresses 
from different ministers, tend to protract the service. And 
though, to an uninterested observer, there may often be at least 
the appearance of confusion, yet, from the number of ministers 
present, and the consequent variety of ministerial talents which 
are called into exercise, tediousness is greatly avoided. Espe- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 71 

cially to those, who, as Lady M. was accustomed to do, " dis- 
cern the Lord's body," solemnity and devotion reign through the 
whole, and to the end of the ordinance a gracious influence is 
maintained.* After these remarks her ladyship shall again de- 
tail her own history .- 

February 6. Since my last date, January 29, the Father of 
mercies hath visited me with affliction. But O, how gentle has 
been his rod ! How much mercy has he mixed in the cup ! I 
have not in any previous affliction enjoyed so much of God. I 
was allowed sweet communion with him, while from the begin- 
ning I was persuaded there was no death in the cup. When 
on a sick bed, what friend is like unto God 1 Who can support, 
who can comfort like him ? Diseases are his servants, they come 
at his command, and as he speaks to the proud waves so he does 
to them, " Hitherto shalt thou come, but no farther." Lord, I 
desire to devote my spared life to thee. O, let all I have and 
am be thine : brace every nerve, invigorate my ?nimal spirits, 
scatter the life of Jesus through every part, and sanctify the 
whole. The Lord hath this day fully completed what many 
months ago he enabled me to believe he would do. How great 
is his faithfulness, how great is his condescension to me, even 
to me ! What shall I say ; I feel lost in wonder ; words fail, they 
cannot express my grateful sensations : — and shall I not trust 
him for what is to come 1 Yes, my God, through thy strength, 
I will believe not one word shall fail of all thou hast promised. 
What mercies I have experienced since the Lord first inclined 
me to seek his face ! I may indeed say, they are more in num- 
ber than the hairs of my head. I have committed a few of them 
to writing for my own benefit, but how many have I omitted, or 
neglected. Lord, write them upon my heart. I blush and am 
ashamed when I think of the poor returns I have made ; of my 
numberless backslidings, repeated miscarriages, and base ingra- 
titude. I would deeply lament them. O blot them out by blood 
divine, bury them in eternal oblivion, and for thy name's sake 
give me power to walk before thee unto all well-pleasing. I 
have felt for days past constrained to stimulate others to love 
and serve God. What an active principle is love — may I ever 
feel its sweet influence ! 

8. The preparation before the sacrament in the Cannon- 
gate. The Lord hath dealt bountifully with me to-day ; I can 
truly say, my communion has been with the Father and the Son. 

* It must be acknowledged that at Scottish country sacraments inde- 
corous scenes have occasionally occurred. " But those persons, however, 
who gather their information of these times from the profane description 
drawn by the licentious author of ' The Holy Fair,'' will be prepared to 
form an opinion of puritanical intellect and piety from the buffoonery of 
Butler in his Hudibrastic rant." 



72 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

When I arose in the morning, and began to examine the state 
of my mind, I found God was with me to bless; and, in secret 
prayer, I was permitted into the presence-chamber, and obtained 
most endearing and heart-ravishing views of God, — as a faithful 
God ; as a promise-making, and promise-keeping God. I have 
proved him so indeed, and I will trust him. I have felt my soul 
to-day abhorring sin more than ever, and earnestly longing to be 
wholly given up to God. 

10. Sunday. With greater earnestness than ever I de- 
sired to go to the Lord's table. Arose early in the morning, and 
spent a long time in secret, but did not feel remarkably alive till 
within a very little of my going out. I went to prayer, and was 
enabled to plead the blood of Jesus with such prevalence for all 
I wanted at bis table, as I never remember before, and it was a 
truly profitable day. My tide of spiritual joy did not run so 
high as I have felt it ; but I enjoyed unutterable peace, and felt 
surrounded with the love of God my Saviour. It seemed as a 
bulwark unto me. Faith felt almost lost, if not in sight, at least 
in enjoyment. In my way home at night I was blessed with 
heavenly and heart-comforting meditations of God, and his amaz- 
ing goodness to me. When I arrived, the Lord fed me with the 
manna of his love, and blessed social prayer and Christian con- 
versation. Eternal praises to the God of all grace. 

11. I cannot express the goodness of God to-day; 

words will not convey an adequate idea of it to others. In the 
morning felt unwell, nature cried, ' spare thyself,' but in the 
midst of weakness I longed to go to the church. My body soon 
regained strength, and through the day I was favoured with 
sweet communion with my God and Saviour. At half past ten, 
heard a discourse from "Abide ye in my love." The words 
seemed peculiarly addressed to me, and the whole sermon was 
food to my soul suited to my experience. But my soul almost 
trembled lest any enemy should get in. I felt so centred in God, 
that the thoughts of even a partial separation was like death. 
Immediately after the sermon, went to visit the sick ; still my 
mind was preserved in perfect peace, and in great condescen- 
sion he blessed the words spoken to the afflicted. I had, soon 
after, the prospect of being with those who were ignorant of 
God : this caused me to cry earnestly to him to preserve me 
from injury ; and he heard me in the thing which I feared ; ena- 
bled me to confess him, and all the time to enjoy delightful com- 
munion with himself. My enjoyments have been very great 
today. I think I have had ^measure of -that perfect love that 
casteth out all slavish fear. Lord, whence is all this good- 
ness to me ! O for a grateful heart. Maintain what thou hast 
wrought. I feel dwelling in God. Praises — praises — praises ! 

20. How shall I describe the delightful communion 

T have enjoyed with God to-day : — the permanent rest I have 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 73 

found in him ! He has since morning continually breathed upon 
my soul, and by a divine expiration my soul continually breathed 
back his love. When I rose in the morning, I felt my soul ra- 
ther languid ; but after breakfast inclined to retirement and secret 
prayer. Enjoyed a good time at the throne of grace, and im- 
mediately after the Lord drew near, and gave me to feel the ac- 
complishment of a promise made by the Saviour : " If a man 
love me, he will keep my words ; and my Father will love him, 
and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him," 
John xiv, 23. To the former part of this scripture I lay no par- 
ticular claim, and the latter I only repeat as conveying a more 
distinct idea of what, through abounding mercy, I have enjoyed, 
than any words I can use. After all, it is more than I can ex- 
press. Lord, what is man ! What am I that thou shouldst 
deal so familiarly with me! I cannot now doubt but that the 
Lord has given me to enjoy for some time a small measure of 
that perfect love which casteth out fear ; a taste of entire devo- 
tion. Lord, increase it, and keep it for rne ; for I fear lest I 
should grieve thy Spirit, and thus cause thee to deprive me of 
it, though this fear is subsiding, and I feel more confirmed. 

21. After writing the above last night, 1 enjoyed 

such delightful intercourse with God before I retired as made 
me regret the necessity of interrupting it by taking necessary 
rest. On going to bed, so many comfortable scriptures poured 
in upon my mind, that I fell asleep filled with the love of God. 
Yet through the night I was uncommonly distressed with fright- 
ful dreams, and, like Job, scared with visions. In the midst of 
them I happily awoke, and found my joy in God continued. In 
a few minutes I again fell asleep, and again suffered similar dis- 
tress. To what shall I impute this 1 To the power of evil 
spirits 1 to the deep corruption of my heart 1 or to some bodily dis- 
order, which, agreeably to the laws of sympathy, must affect the 
mind 1 To whatever cause it should be attributed, surely I have 
much reason to be thankful that it was but a dream. And 
dreams are but 



-interludes which fancy makes : 



While monarch reason sleeps — that mimic wakes." 

Praises to my God, through the day I enjoyed communion 
with him, and a measure of that rest in him which I have ex- 
perienced for some weeks. In secret prayer I was allowed ac- 
cess, and found power to plead that nothing but the pure love of 
God might dwell in my heart. I felt a degree of languor on my 
animal spirits, and once or twice in the course of the day was 
grieved to perceive that my manner and spirit savoured of hasti- 
ness ; especially when speaking of those who, I thought, were 
acting wrong. I hope I mourned over this, and made a fresh 
application to the blood of sprinkling. When shall these Canaan- 
4 



74 UR 01 lady max\vi:ll. 

ites be driven out of the land ? "When shall I possess that in- 
vincible patience and meekness which no provocation can move'? 

March 11. Recovi red a measure of comfort and strength which 
I had lost yesterday by not being sufficiently courageous in reprov- 
ing sin : but still I mourn for my ingratitude to that God who so 
Dncommonly loads me with his benefits. The remains of im- 
puritv which I still feel arc truly an intolerable load ; and especial- 
ly of late, since I have been blessed with so much nearness and 
delightful communion with God my Saviour. This makes me 
f ,ely sensibh to the least touch of sin, and causes it to 
the most pungent sorrow. Lord, give me all that free- 
dom from it which thy word holds out as my privilege. 

Sunday 15. A day much to be remembered, wherein I enjoyed 
Communion with my God. His joy was my strength; whereby 
1 was enabled to wait upon him much longer than usual in his 
bouse of prayer. In going to his table, I sang his praises, feel- 
ing surrounded with his goodness. Words fail when I would 
tell how much of his love he showed me. 1 feel immersed in 
the ocean of divine love. Silence must speak that praise I can- 
not utter : the language of immortality alone can adequately 
express it. 

April 10. Since the 5th inst. I have had another proof that 
the Lord is the hearer and answerer of prayer. Fearing a certain 
trial, I cried to him, and entreated he would make a way for my 
escape. His former goodness in similar cases led me to trust 
in him, and I was not disappointed. He has appeared for me, 
and made me sweetly sensible it was ins own doing. This, as 
at other times, has produced desirable consequences — increase 
of love, confidence, and desire for more communion with him 
For some days my joy has not been so great ; my views have 
been clear, yet I have not felt so near ; wanderings have greatly 
harassed me while at prayer. My heart is also pained, because 
I do not make greater progress in the divine life ; and because 
I do not feel so ardently breathing after God — after my God, my 
all. How great the stupidity which hangs upon my spirit ! All 
heaven adores Thee with a continual flame of love which burns 
up every other desire ; all on earth is the workmanship of thy 
hands, from whom thou justly demandest an unceasing tribute of 
praise ; but, especially, how ought the fire of devotion to be con- 
tinually ascending from the altar of a grateful heart in all thy 
children! those whom thou hast redeemed, whose hearts thou 
hast set free and made thine by faith in Christ. How loud should 
be their notes of praise, — how warm their love, — how great their 
activity ! What cause have I to chide my cold heart ! Come, 
Lord, and so fill it with thy pure love, that I may not for a mo- 
ment lose the warmest sense of it. What heights and depths of 
the love of God arc attainable in this life ! — what constant com- 
munion, what uninterrupted peace, what close walking ! Of theso 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 75 

I have enjoyed more for some months than before ; but, O, how- 
little in comparison with w r hat I might, and hope to enjoy even 
here. Not that I believe absolute perfection attainable in this 
world ; yet I hope not always to be a babe in Christ, but by degrees 
to attain the strength of a young man, and then the stability, 
vigour, and firmness, of a father. This I am warranted by the 
word of God to expect. 

" Yet, when melted in the flame 

Of love, this shall be all my plea : 
' I, the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for me," 

By the economy of grace all boasting is, and must be for ever 
excluded. " Let him that glorieth," says Jehovah, " glory in 
this, that he understandeth and knoweth me." How just ! If I 
know myself, I would glory in nothing else. But alas ! how is 
my glorying in a manner made void, because I know so little of 
Him, — have made such poor returns, — and because the child re- 
mains so unlike the Parent. 

20. Still my soul feels comforted and quickened ; my 

mind more stayed on God, wanderings in secret fewer, and I 
enjoy nearer access. Met yesterday with a trial I did not ex- 
pect. How often does that come upon us we looked not for ; 
and how seldom, on the other hand, do we smart under appre- 
hended evils. Lord, in this, as in all other things, " thy will 
be done." 

** No cross, no suffering I decline, 
Only let all my heart be thine." 

O the superlative happiness of having God our reconciled Father, 
and of being in any measure moulded into his will ! What a con- 
stant stream of comfort flows from this fountain. It blunts the 
edge of every trial, and gives the proper relish of every earthly 
enjoyment ; things and persons we then keep in their proper 
place, and God is our chief good while we " stand fast in the 
liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." Indeed, if we be 
<; again entangled with the yoke of bondage," and the love of the 
world prevail in our hearts, the love of God will soon die away, 
arid we shall lose our relish for divine things. How necessary 
is it from the moment power is given us to believe on Christ, 
with that faith which removes condemnation and brings peace, 
to have always something farther in view ; to be constantly 
growing in grace, and going on from faith to faith. If we do 
not attend to this, we shall most assuredly lose ground, and 
again recede. 

30. I have found a degree of uneasiness creeping into my 

mind, because sonic things were not going on agreeably to my 
wish. This ought not to be. I ought so to trust in the Lord, 
that my soul might be like Mount Sion, which cannot be moved. 
This naturally leads me to regret the littleness of my grace, and 



76 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

makes me examine what I havt and what I want. The result 
of this has been, especially of late, to convince me that though I 
have not all I wish, nor what many other ( 'hristians enjoy, yet 
I have much more than 1 am properly thankful for, or always 
sensible of, I find my reasons for rejoicing evermore are so 
great and many thai I wonder any thing hut sin should ever 
movf me. I perceive it is a misfortune, if I maybe allowed the 
expression, t<» be <-;ust in too soft a mould. My nature is often 
deeply affected when my soul, or spiritual part, remains unmoved; 
and were it equally supported by the animal powers, I should en- 
joy much more firmness than I now do. But this, with every 
other weakness inseparably connected with humanity, will be done 
■way when 1 get above. O glorious day ! — transporting thought ! 
when I, even /, shall be admitted to In 'hold the beatific vi- 
sion, shall see my Jesus in all his splendour, — shall see with- 
out a veil that God of whose goodness I have so largely partaken. 
Language and ideas fail! What mortal can express the happi- 
ness that real Christians shall then enjoy ! 1 must leave it until I 
learn the language of immortality. But O, my heart ought to 
burn with love to the Father of mercies, who has invested me 
with a legal title to that glorious kingdom, by revealing his Son 
in my heart ! I would that every moment my soul glowed with 
seraphic love — with heavenly ardour ! O qualify me for the 
enjoyment of that glorious place. 

May 5. Still my God is good, and has allowed me much of 
his presence to-day, while variously employed for the good of 
my own soul and that of others. Yet in the afternoon I had 
cause to lament my want of a greater degree of faithfulness to 
the Lord. He did not deprive me of the comfort I enjoyed 
immediately, but by degrees ; soon after, reflecting upon my 
ingratitude, and seeing clearly what I ought to have done, I 
found it diminished. Surely there is no safe nor comfortable 
path to walk in, but that of duty. This is a matter of fact, and 
I find it confirmed by daily experience. People may amuse 
themselves, if they dare, by thinking and saying the gospel 
brings such a liberty with it as invests the children of God with 
a discretionary power to do, or to leave undone, as they choose : 
but of one thing I am morally certain, if they would preserve 
their hearts right with God, and their consciences be properly 
informed, they will not enjoy uninterrupted peace if they take 
the liberty either to omit any duty, or to do those things the 
Spirit of God condemns. A liberty purchased at this expense 
is the very worst kind of bondage. How absurd, then, to brand a 
conscientious discharge of duty with the odious name of legality. 
If we do, we must consequently quarrel with all the prohibitions, 
and injunctions, and exhortations, we meet with in the oracles 
of truth. If I know any thing of true liberty, it is to love my 
God and to avoid sin. This is the liberty of the gospel, and a 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 77 

glorious one it is. May the Lord enable me and all his people 
to walk in it. 

May 26. For the last eight days it has been a season of 
severe inward trial ; these generally are the heaviest. To add 
to my sufferings, my body was afflicted ; and for many hours my 
mind was so harassed, and so stupid, I could not fix it for two 
minutes on divine things. I am thankful this last complaint was 
not suffered long to remain. The Lord in mercy removed my 
pains, cleared my views, and inclined me to cry unto him : and 
though I had not much comfort, yet underneath I felt the ever- 
lasting arms secretly supporting me, yea, strengthening me to 
overcome. He is a gracious God, and will not suffer his chil- 
dren to be tempted above what they are able. No, he has 
promised to " give strength to his people : the Lord will bless 
his people with peace." I cannot set my seal to the truth of 
this precious promise : but yet, to satisfy my mind fully, I want 
a farther degree of light with regard to his will concerning me 
in some things. I feel a constant fear of yielding to my own, 
and a dread lest I should mistake his. Surely he must have 
wrought me to this self-same thing, — will he then suffer me 
greatly to err, either in principle or in practice % No — man in 
this case, sinful as he is, would not ; far less a gracious God. 

June 25. I have taken up too much time and thought to-day 
with temporal things, which has a little interrupted my close 
communion with the Father of mercies. O for power not only 
to live but to walk in the Spirit. I have now entirely given up 
to the Lord what has engrossed too much of my thoughts and 
conversation for two days past. I believe it is from himself, 
and therefore hope he will succeed it. How narrow is the way 
we are called to walk in, would we enjoy constant communion 
with God ! Yet I believe it consistent with every lawful situa- 
tion and occupation in life. Though necessarily employed in 
outward things, still, through grace, the heart may be at liberty 
continually to attend to an indwelling God. This will naturally 
lead us to watch in all things ; but without a measure of this 
recollected, watchful spirit, it is impossible to walk closely 
with God. I have been more injured lately for want of a greater 
degree of this, than for some time back. With it, I experimen- 
tally know we may retain in the midst of worldly employments 
a constant sense of the divine presence. 

July 20. (Sunday.) Slept but little through the night ; rose 
very early ; spent some hours in secret with the Lord, and found 
access to him. But how shall I express his goodness to me 
through the day. It was indeed one of the days of the Son of 
man : the waters of the sanctuary were as a great river ; I could' 
indeed adopt the language of St. John, " Truly our fellowship is 
with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." In several 
things I had the petitions I asked of him. " The joy of th$ 



78 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Lord was my strength," for I felt no weariness, neither want of 
food ; this not only at the Lord's table, but also through the day. 

21. As soon as I awoke this morning, I enjoyed free 

access to God ; this continued all day : wherever I went I found 
him ; in public, in private, and in secret. Whence is this tome, 
that my God should deal so bountifully with an unfaithful, unfruit- 
ful creature. I feel so utterly unable to tell of all his goodness, 
or to express my gratitude ; all I can say falls so short of what I 
would and ought to say, that it leads me sometimes to gire over 
attempting it, and in silence to admire and adore that depth of 
love which I feel, but cannot comprehend. May I go many days 
in the strength of this meal. But, O my God, I do not mean so 
as to receive no more for some time. No, I want every moment 
the intercourse open between thee and my soul : that I may be 
constantly drawing out of thy fulness grace for grace, till thou 
shalt receive my happy spirit home ; and even then I shall live 
only by the continual emanations of thy love to my soul. While 
in this vale of tears, O encircle me every moment in the arms 
of divine love — there only am I safe. 

30. My spiritual joy has sensibly abated for some days ; 

" yet I will trust in the Lord, and stay myself upon my God." 
Not that I am walking in darkness, only when I reflect on the 
deep and close communion I enjoyed with him lately, I now 
seem comparatively at a distance. The bare recalling of the 
happy time to mind has often since in a measure renewed it : — 
" He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is 
that loveth me ; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Fa- 
ther; and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." 
This scripture promises a permanent rest and happiness : there 
is no interruption mentioned as unavoidable. And yet many 
good people, I do not know why, have received it as a proposition 
quite conclusive, that while in this world we must be as unstable 
as water. It is generally said the arguments drawn from expe- 
rience are most satisfactory. Were I to admit this, and argue 
merely from what my experience has hitherto been, it would 
certainly lead to the adoption of the above opinion. But if the 
generality of Christians live much beneath what the word of 
God describes as their privileges, must I thence infer it is im- 
possible to live up to them 1 I cannot think the conclusion 
would be just, especially as I can see no foundation for such an 
opinion in the oracles of truth. Therefore, I would not permit 
their experience to have much influence in determining my 
judgment, concerning the degrees of grace attainable in this life. 
The Lord knows I do not here speak as one who has already 
attained, but rather as one who is deeply conscious that as yet 
exceedingly little is attained. Yet. I believe that, in spite of 
the numberless infirmities inseparably connected with flesh and 
blood, God is both able and willing to make me " rejoice ever- 



Ml?E OF LADY MAXWELL. 79 

more, pray without ceasing, and in every thing to give thanks. " 
At the same time, I believe that no degree of grace can exempt 
us from being very sensible of a difference at one time from 
another, as it respects the measures of spiritual comfort and joy. 

August 7. (Friday.) From indisposition of body was prevent- 
ed using that degree of abstinence I generally do on this day ; 
not from any superstitious regard to Friday, more than any other 
day; only I find it profitable to set one day apart for more spe- 
cial acts of dedication. Was sensible of an increase of life and 
power. In the evening enjoyed much profitable conversation, 
and found a blessing both in social and secret prayer. Inward 
trials and temptations have been stronger than usual. What a 
burden do I still feel the remains of indwelling sin. Lord, give 
me all the liberty I can enjoy in this life. 

8. Still I groan, being burdened. And yet what a mys- 
tery — I every moment, more or less, behold the glory of God in 
the face of Jesus Christ : I never lose sight of a reconciled 
God. O what cause for thanks. What a great support must this 
prove under every pressure ; unquestionably it is : yet here 
is no contradiction. I believe the clearer my views of divine 
objects are, and the closer my communion with God is, 
the more exquisite will be my sensibility of sin. What grief 
does it give, to feel any thing in me contrary to the God of love. 
How does it cut me to the heart, that I should ever grieve his 
patient and good Spirit. In the evening went to the chapel, and 
heard a sermon from " Little children, abide in him ; that, when 
he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed 
before him at his coming." Toward the end of the service, my 
soul felt agonizing with desire and expectation for a blessing ; 
while singing these lines, — 



" Give 
All 



:, give me all my soul requires, 
L, all that is in thee :" 



I felt as if grasping all that heaven could bestow. 

14. This has been a day of sweet serenity and unut- 
terable peace. I feel at a loss to express my enjoyments under 
a sermon at five in the morning. The Lord was present; the 
word came with power ; I felt surrounded with his goodness, as 
Jerusalem is said to be with mountains. My soul was fed with 
manna and fatness. I felt more firmly persuaded than ever 
that the Lord would not suffer me to be tempted above what I 
am able. How good to wait upon God : he has been at my right 
hand all day, and my communion with Jesus has been near and 
delightful. What I lament is, that my conformity still remains 
so comparatively small. O that I could extirpate every foe he 
has in my breasl. But, alas ! I have no might against this 
great army. It is his own work, and, Lord, my eyes are unto 
thee for deliverance. How comfortable to know that, though 



80 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

my enemies are polmt, He is omnipotent ; though they are 
mighty, He is almighty. 

September 34. The lessons I have been learning for some 
time pasl bave been, Firsts To endeavour to keep the eye of my 
soul steadily fixed niton the Lord Jesus, as the only way to ob- 
tain whatever 1 want ; and to be preserved from wanderings and 
unprofitable reasonings. Secondly. To cry without intermission 
to the Lord for purity, that I may be more fully qualified to act 
for Gkxi. Winn it will be for thy glory, enlarge my sphere of 
usefulness, and continue my constant desires of doing thy will : O 
let me not lose any opportunity my present situation affords. 
►Show me, Lord, if I am cutting off all superfluities, and unne- 
cessary expense in apparel, furniture, &c, &c. Surely this is a 
privilege ; yel not esteemed so by nature : it loves what is new, 
grand, elegant, extravagant. I did so as well as others, till He 
who is rich in mercy opened my eyes and showed me a more ex- 
cellent way. Yet I fall short. Were salvation by works, I should 
be undone : eternal praises to God it is by grace, through faith. 

For some time death has worn an amiable aspect ; I have 
almost longed to get away. Nothing checks this desire so much 
as a hope to do something for God before I die : except this, I 
have nothing to do here. The world to me has lost its charms : 
I see through the veil ; it is too thin to hide the cheat. In God 
alone is my comfort : Jesus is the only source of my consolation. 
I am pained by the righteous, as well as distressed by the wicked. 
The former are so torn by prejudice, faction, and party spirit : — 
the latter, so awfully dishonour the God I love. Lord, see the 
ways of both, and heal them. 

October 12. This morning had the clear witness of God's 
Spirit with mine, that I stood accepted through the Beloved. 
This animates and invigorates the soul in all her combats with 
sin, Satan, and the world. Faith is indeed a precious gift. How 
mysterious in its nature, and in its workings ! What a new 
world does it lay open to the eye of a believer ! W x hat glories 
does it display ! But, above all, how inconceivably, yet cer- 
tainly and sweetly, does it unite the soul to Jesus ; producing a 
relation and connection much nearer and dearer than any earthly 
one. O Jesus, what constant source of consolation art thou 
to my soul' 

24. Have been confined by sickness. The rod was 

gentle, but I am never laid on a sick bed without being con- 
vinced I have not sufficient grace for that situation. Ever since 
the Lord gave me a relish for divine things, I have had a desire 
to be continually employed for him. When confined I seem to 
be laid aside from this delightful work, which depresses my mind, 
and often robs me of that degree of comfort I might otherwise 
enjoy. Now surely this is an evil, and bespeaks me defective in 
point of resignation. Yet, so gracious is God, he generally 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 81 

brings good out of it, by stimulating me to cry more earnestly 
for that measure of grace which shall alike enable me to be de- 
voted to him in sickness as in health, in adversity as in pros- 
perity. In the course of this last illness I felt at times so ardent 
in prayer for this that it almost seemed more than my feeble 
frame could bear. 

November 25. My soul has been exceedingly sorrowful for 
some weeks. I think I have not experienced such deep and 
variegated distress since I knew the Lord. My inward conflicts 
have been very severe, I was truly in agony of soul, and many 
outward things concurred to aggravate my affliction. What adds 
a pungency to my sorrow is the unusual workings of a proud 
heart and an unsubdued will ; neither of which is willing to stoop 
to the present cross. My whole soul feels as if in confusion. 
My God, let not the spirit fail before thee. O speak this storm 
into a calm. 

" Omnipotent Lord, my Saviour and King, 
Thy succour afford, thy righteousness bring : 
Thy promises bind thee compassion to have, 
Now, now let me find thee almighty to save." 

30. I now take up my pen to record the mercy of my 

God, who has looked upon my affliction, and in some measure 
removed it. In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard 
and delivered me. He calmed the tumult of my soul, and said 
to the raging billows and roaring w r aves, " Peace, be still. 1 ' Bless 
the Lord, O my soul. 

December 24. Through the abounding goodness of my God, 
my inward conflicts have been less severe for this last week than 
for months past ; and I have enjoyed a measure of communion 
with the Father and the Son, in company and when alone, in prayer 
and meditation. Yet I have had the pressure of many outward 
things, and sometimes fears lest my inward quietness was owing 
to want of ardour in the pursuit of divine objects. I am morally 
certain that my faith is stronger, my views clearer, and my en- 
joyment of the sweet intimations of the favour of God more 
lively : only I think I do not possess that painful earnestness of 
spirit which I have experienced. Lord, let me never rest but 
in the full enjoyment of thyself. 

This year is now drawing near to a close, and I feel a painful 
conviction that I have made comparatively but small progress in 
the divine life. Othat before it ends the Lord would come and 
finish the work begun in me, and let me enter into the rest of per- 
fect love. Lord, hear the prayer of thy handmaid. 

31. I have repeatedly to-day renewed my engagements 

to be the Lord's, in time and to all eternity. At night heard a 
sermon on " Arise, and depart, for this is not your rest." While 
attending to it, the Lord shone upon his work on my soul. My 
4* 



82 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

interest in Jesus was as clear as if written in the most legible 
characters. 

" M< ruliiin evident puts doubl to flight, 
And conquering faith anticipates the skies." 

wherefore is the Deity so kind ! Astonishing beyond astonish- 
ment ! Heaven our reward above, for heaven enjoyed below* 



CHAPTER VIII.— 1773. 

Diary continued. 

Jan. 1. And is the former year gone— gone, never to be re- 
called ! Where is it 1 Lost in the ocean of eternity ! Awful 
thought ! Not so the deeds I have done in the course of it : they 
are faithfully recorded in the divine register. O my soul, how 
wouldst thou blush at the recital, were it not for the blood of 
Jesus. Blush, did I say 1 alas! how confounded wouldst, thou 
rather be ! In it. would be found ten thousand times more than 
enough to condemn thee to all eternity, were it not that Jesus 
stands between the Father's wrath and thee. "Jesus my 
hope, for me offered up," how shall I, — how can I sufficiently 
praise thee ! I lament the coldness of of my heart. I would it 
were ever burning, seraphlikc, with love to thee ; bnt, alas ! 
how insensible is it to that vast love that " thee inclined to 
bleed and die for me !" O for more love ! 

I awoke, and got up very early to begin the year with my 
immortal Friend ; but through affliction of body was prevented 
going to his house, yet the Lord made it a sweet day to me. 

19. For these two weeks past, I have had cause every 

day to bless the Lord for his goodness to me. The additional 
power given me some time ago to rely on him for the accom- 
plishment of his promise still continues ; to which is united a 
measure of faith, love, and zeal for the glory of my God and the 
salvation of others. This last week he has afforded me delight- 
ful communion with himself in secret prayer, meditation, and 
conversation. I also experience that Christ is more and more 
precious. I seem to see more than ever the immense value of 
his blood, as a fountain to which I am permitted to have daily 
and hourly recourse, for the removal of fresli^contracted guilt ; 
for continual shortcomings, and for farther degrees of sanctifi- 
cation. Jesus, in thee is all I want — but for thee, and my 
interest in thy oonlplete atonement, where should I appear, — or 
how should I appear ! Confusion would for ever cover me and 
my best deeds. In thee alone is all my hope and ail my comfort. 
Of late, my heart leaps for joy at the very mention of the name 
of Jesus. I can truly say, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 83 

" Jesus, thy blood and righteousness, * 
My beauty are, my glorious dress." 

how cordially does my soul approve of the whole plan of sal- 
vation ; but still I grieve daily for my unfaithfulness, unfruitful- 
ness, unw.atchfulness ; these three evils are a source of much 
sorrow to me. 

26. For these seven days past I have experienced, in 

various ways, the goodness of my God. The means which he 
has most blessed has been secret prayer : this I prove a holy 
preservative against the many snares of an evil world. By it I 
am fortified, and in some measure enabled to bear the trials 
which are constantly occurring in common life. There is no 
situation in life exempt from trials. To be " from things that 
disquiet free," is incompatible with a state of humanity. To 
suffer so as to glorify God is all we can ask or expect. Some 
weeks ago I found meditation the way in which I enjoyed most 
of the presence of the Lord ; but he varies this as his wisdom 
sees best. I have felt the pressure of several trials for a long 
time, but have been allowed to cast my burthen on God ; and, 
especially of late, he has given me an increase of power to trust 
in him. My faith in the promises is also sensibly strengthened ; 
but still I lack that degree of it which would enable me to lay 
-present hold of them : yet I believe " He that shall come, will 
come, and will not tarry." This forenoon! found Christian con- 
versation and prayer truly blessed. The Beloved of my soul 
drew nigh, and comforted me, and others with me. Several op- 
portunities also occurred for the good of others, which the Lord 
enabled me to embrace ; that he may bless them. He is very 
gracious in this respect, and as he knows I am prone to be dis- 
couraged, he sometimes condescends to let me know that good 
is done by my feeble efforts ; this animates and encourages me 
to renew my attempts. I seem to be in my element when act- 
ing in any way for God. My soul truly desires to be wholly His ; 
but, O, how far am I from this. For some days I have enjoyed 
a calm abstracted frame of mind — free from creatures — cleaving 
to God. 

Feb. 14. (Friday.) Endeavoured to set this day apart, as 
usual, for prayer, abstinence, and self-examination. Upon the 
whole it was profitable, though not remarkably joyful. This 
last week the Lord Jesus has drawn very near to me, and won- 
derfully manifested his presence ; so that I have seen and con- 
versed with him as a man with his friend : yet these visits of 
love were but short. O to have them more abiding! Were 1 
more holy, I should enjoy more of God. It is this, (when we 
are accepted through the Beloved,) which capacitates our na- 
ture for the enjoyment of Him. The pure in heart see God. 
My soul desires holiness, but, alas ! how little of it do I possess. 

1 hare cause t'» !><> thankful that my evidences of justification 



84 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

remain satisfactory, but this is not enough ; I pant for the full 
image of God. 

25. The accomplishment of a gracious promise on 

which God had enabled me to trust, appeared very nigh — just 
at hand. I have looked almost every moment for it, yet when 
attempting to lay hold of it I have found a painful inability and 
impotence. God only can give power to believe so as to enable 
us to possess any promised blessing. All is from above — no- 
thing is left for human boasting. Lord, I desire it should be so : 
I delight to give thee all the glory. O then magnify thy mercy 
above all thy Name. I still feel wanderings in secret, though 
not so many as last week, and also fear my communion with 
God has not been so close for some days past as usual ; yet I 
thirst to glorify him in every possible way. I feel, in this time 
of almost universal defection, much drawn out in desire and 
prayer, to be enabled and honoured to confess God ; to bear 
my testimony against the sins of the times, by my lips, from my 
heart, and in my life. May God give me power so to do. He 
favours me, even in my narrow sphere of action, with many 
opportunities daily to act for him, and causes me to delight in 
being so employed. If he accept my mite, it is great conde- 
scension ; I ask no other reward. He knows, if I had all, I 
would, through his grace, give him all ; but, alas ! I have nothing. 
What shall I render unto Him who has done so much for me ! 
Lord, show me, if I can do any thing for thee ; thou often work- 
est by the weakest instruments. Lord, here am I, send me ; 
but O direct my every step. At present, I am perplexed with 
regard to some temporal affairs, and fear to trust my own judg- 
ment, and even that of others, lest I should mistake the Lord's 
will concerning me : O rny God, cause light to arise. I give up 
all to thee, do thou guide me in all things, by thy unerring coun- 
sel, in the way that shall bring most glory to thee, profit to 
others and to myself. 

March 9. When speaking of the Lord's goodness to me this 
forenoon, I sensibly felt the divine life increasing in my soul, and 
was enabled to believe he will do great things for me. In the 
same moment my spiritual foes made a fresh attack upon me ; 
but I felt sweetly resigned to suffer all my God should permit 
them to do ; and was forcibly persuaded he would give strength 
according to my day, and fully perfect what concerns me. I 
often find, when ready to be discouraged with outward and in- 
ward trials, I am instantaneously lifted up and comforted. Surely 
this must be from my invisible Friend, the Lover of my soul. 
O that I had a deeper sense of my mercies, and of my infinite 
obligations to Jesus Christ. That this may be the case, O Lord, 
reveal thyself more fully. 

11. These two days experienced rather a degree of 

languor on my mind, and feared lest I should take rest in the 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 85 

degree of freedom I had obtained from the fiery darts of Satan. 
I cried unto the Lord to prevent this, for of all states I dread a 
lukewarm one. In the evening, went to the house of God, 
where the enemy tried in an uncommon way to afflict me ; but 
he overshot his mark. I was for a few minutes distressed, but 
quickly my God came to my relief, and poured the consolations 
of his Spirit into my soul in an abundant manner. How good is 
God ! and how malicious is Satan ! but he is a chained enemy, 
and those who believe in Jesns shall triumph over him. 

16. Opportunities of various kinds have crowded 

upon me wherein to act for God : with desire I have attempted 
to embrace them, and have found comfort in it. My soul con- 
stantly thirsts to glorify God, and those are my happiest moments 
which are thus consecrated to him. O to be able to fill up all 
my time with and for him ! I hope I am always employed in 
what has either an immediate or remote tendency to glorify 
him ; though still, alas ! how much time I comparatively trifle 
away. that I could learn to redeem time : Lord, teach me. 
Jesus to-day appeared very nigh and clear to the eye of faith ; 
but my soul is grieved for want of more fervour in secret prayer. 
I do not agonize and wrestle Jacoblike, and I am also distressed 
with wanderings. Lord, cure these evils ! 

29. For the last week have felt much as usual, only 

not so much joy, yet my evidences of justification are clear, 
through mercy very clear, and I also possess a grateful sense of 
it. I constantly prove this a great support under distresses of 
various kinds. Lord, thy goodness is great to me in this re- 
spect. O for equal clearness in my evidences for sanctification . 
Of late, I feel painfully convinced that I do not pray enough : 
Lord, give me a spirit of prayer and supplication. I have taken 
some steps in an affair which as yet is only in embryo — a larger 
attempt in the way of doing something for God than I have as 
yet tried. O that he may succeed it. If my heart do not de- 
ceive me, his glory and the good of my fellow creatures are my 
motives : of the two, I find the former proves the stronger sti- 
mulative. What an honour to be permitted to act for God. 
Lord, thou knowest this is my highest ambition. 

April 5. ( Sunday.) In coming home from the house of God, 
Jesus felt intimately nigh. He seemed as if hovering over me 
with eyes of tenderness and love, while the silent language of 
my heart was, " I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, that 
ye stir not up, nor awake my love till he please." I constrained 
my Lord to abide with me. I found He was all in all to me ; I 
felt deeply convinced that nothing but divine love could wean 
us entirely from the world ; but that a fulness of it would effec- 
tually do this. It is a good so infinitely superior to any thing 
the world has to offer, that, with an omnipotent sweetness, our 
judgments are convinced, while our affections are wholly capti- 



66 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

vated. to feel it ever thus ! This is indeed very desirable ; 
yet the heart may be right with God when there is not such an 
overpowering sense of this conviction present to the mind : but 
I am conscious I do not sufficiently advert to this. I am too 
much affected with the alternation of my frames ; when I believe 
it is partly owing either to the body, or the strong effect of power- 
ful temptation. 

11. I have cause to say the mercies of my God are 

new every morning, yet there are seasons when he more richly 
displays his glory in Jesus Christ : — increasing my communion 
with himself, and making his love flow more plentifully into my 
soul. But at all times, however tempted or tried, in great con- 
descension, his Spirit bears witness with mine that through the 
Son of his love he is reconciled to me. According to his gra- 
cious promise, he does more and more establish me herein ; 
especially when most on the stretch for sanctification : then it is 
the divine witness shines with peculiar brightness. Lord, how 
infinitely am I indebted to thy free grace ! O for a heart con- 
tinually flaming with love to thee. At times a languor over- 
spreads the surface of my soul, which frequently diminishes my 
spiritual joy ; but as Jesus Christ, and not joy, is the founda- 
tion of my hope, I am still, through grace, enabled to hold fast 
my confidence. But this also is the gift of God, and he makes 
me deeply sensible of it ; and that every grain of faith, love, 
hope, joy, &c, &c, comes from him, and is maintained by him. 
I have nothing but what he gives me ; I am nothing but what he 
makes me ; and I rejoice that it is so. I want more and more to 
lose sight of self and confidence in myself and to trust in the 
Lord alone. He still continues my ardent desires to promote 
his glory, and affords frequent opportunities in which to act for 
him ; with power cheerfully to embrace them ; and this not from 
legal or selfish motives, but from love to my God. 

14. Again this morning my God made his goodness 

to pass before me. When I awoke, these words spontaneously 
flowed from my lips several times : — " Seek the Lord, and his 
strength ; seek his face evermore." • When I arose, the curtain 
of mortality seemed drawn aside, and I got a Mount Pisgah view of 
my heavenly inheritance. My soul appeared to mount up on 
the wings of faith and love, and beheld all the good land. By faith 
I saw my God, and sweetly viewed him as my Father, with whom 
I should be to all eternity, when a little more time on earth had 
elapsed. I would have gone immediately up to him, and no 
longer on this side Jordan stopped. How cheerfully could I have 
bid adieu to all below. But, Lord, thy time is best. Quickly 
alter this glorious manifestation, lest I should have been exalted 
above measure, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, but 
in it I saw the goodness and wisdom of my God. Yet how 
amazing is human frailtv ! I found it brought a decree of heavi- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 87 

ness into my soul. How easily am I affected. Lord, whollv 
subdue my will. If it were lost in thine, all would be alike. O 
forgive my weakness. Through the day, experienced much 
sweetness and liberty in secret and social prayer. When at the 
throne of grace in private, just before dinner, I was favoured 
with a small degree of that rich display of future glory I saw in 
the morning, and was made sensible it was for me. Amazing, 
stupendous mercy ! O the heights and depths of redeeming love '. 

to be lost in the glorious abyss ! 

21. For some time after my last date the power of the 

enemy was restrained, and I had peace in all my borders ; enjoy- 
ing a measure of the love of my God, and strong faith in Christ : 
but after that Satan was permitted to try and tempt me in a way 

1 have not felt for some years. I saw the cloven foot, yet could 
not, from the nature of the temptation, avoid being distressed. 
After two days thus suffering, the Lord rebuked the adversary, 
and there was a calm ; this brought with it a temptation of an- 
other kind, a fear of a Laodicean spirit. O Lord, deliver me 
from this foe, make and keep me active. Trial succeeds to trial. 
We must endure the cross in one way or another : it is a piece 
of necessary discipline in this state of probation. In all, I want 
from my heart to be able to say continually, " Thy will be done." 
In entire resignation to the divine will lies the true happiness of 
man. But nothing, except the all -transforming power of sove- 
reign grace, can effect this; by nature we are as prone to follow 
our own will as the sparks to fly upward. 

29. Endeavoured to strengthen the hands of some of the 

Lord's people, who were variously exercised ; though I needed 
rather to be comforted myself; but in attempting to assist others 
I am assisted myself. I have often observed that, however dis- 
tressing my own situation, if an opportunity offered to glorify 
God by doing good to others, especially spiritual good, my 
own distress was for the time suspended, and I was enabled to 
speak as if going on my way rejoicing ; but when the occasion 
was over my own distress has frequently returned. Surely this 
also must be of God, for by nature we are prone to sink under 
trials, and inclined to complain when speaking to others. I am 
certain I can never have good cause to complain of God. If in 
any, or in many ways I am exercised, it is for some wise end ; 
and besides, I know I have deserved to suffer much more. I 
have always reason, therefore, to speak good of the Lord to 
others, and thereby encourage them to go on in seeking and 
serving him. At times his people may be in heaviness through 
manifold temptations, but never without a needs-be to justify it ; 
and still the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, all her 
paths arc paths of peace. 

May 12. The last week I have endured what seemed to my 
weak spirits n great fight of affliction, which still continues, and 



88 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

has to-day considerably increased. I desire to do and to suffer 
all the will of my God ; but, though the spirit is willing, the flesh 
is weak. I knew tho Lord, have I had at the same 

time such 8 complication of trials. What adds greatly to my 
i is a want of power to bear them with a becoming firm- 
ness of mind. For a short time I possess this, but when trials 
press hard upon me I again lose it, and then I suffer most 
acutely. Yet I believe that deliverance will come — that all 
shall work for my good — that my God does all things well, and 
that 1 shall yet have cause to praise him. The surface of my 
soul is often furiously agitated : hut I bless the Father of mer- 
cies, who enables me, though tempted, to hold Jesus by faith. 
And though I am encompassed with variegated outward and in- 
ward trials, my heart constantly thirsts to glorify God, and he 
enables me to embrace the opportunities which occur. 

18. Taking my eye of faith a little this morning off the 

Lord Jesus, and giving way to foolish reasoning, I involved my 
soul in distress. While we steadily look to him, all is well, 
and no trial proves too strong : we walk with ease, and without 
fear, over the tempestuous sea of life ; but whenever we look 
down to the yielding wave we begin to sink, and are tossed to 
and fro : O to be preserved from such folly. Enjoyed, this fore- 
noon, the benefit, of Christian fellowship, by which my soul was 
strengthened. I bless God, amid all my trials I find myelf 
solidly fixed on Jesus as the sure foundation, and my mind is in 
a measure stayed upon the Lord. 

21. (Friday.) A day in general sacred to the interests of 

my own soul and others, and the cause of. God. In the forenoon 
enjoyed much time alone, but trials so abounded, and their weight 
so increased, that I seemed pressed down under their load, and 
could see no way of deliverance. I endeavoured, by repeated 
prayer and meditation, to cast all my care on the Lord ; to jus- 
tify him in all his dealings with me ; to stir up my soul to trust in 
Him who had hitherto been with me in the fire and in the water, 
and often delivered me ; and I felt a degree of power to stay my 
soul upon him, and also to hope he would make a way for my 
escape. I enjoy at present, in spite of the sable curtain which 
seems to be cast over all my concerns, a secret hope, almost a 
persuasion, that the womb of Providence is pregnant with some 
events of great importance to me. May I in every situation, 
whether prosperous or adverse, be enabled to glorify God, and 
to suffer all his righteous will. 

June 2. Still the Lord is conducting me through the fire and 
through the water, though I dare not say he leaves me comfort- 
less. At times the consolations of his Spirit flow sweetly into 
my soul, and my spirit cleaves to God in faith, believing he will 
order all things well. At other times the enemy obtains an ad- 
vantage over me, and musters before me in dread array all my 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 89 

present difficulties ; and adds many apprehended ones to the 
number. He suggests also that the Lord deals hardly with me, 
and that his promises will perhaps fail. It is thus he subtly 
works upon remaining corruption, and raises a mighty storm in 
my soul, so that I am almost driven to my wits' end. Nothing 
quells the tumult but a fresh act of self-dedication, and an en- 
deavour to fix the eye of faith upon the Lord Jesus. I feel more 
and more that carnal reasoning is an enemy to the work of God 
in the soul, yet to this I have been more tempted of late than for 
a long time. There is one good effect I experience from my 
present trying situation ; I see more than ever the value of the 
Bible, obtain more comfort from it, and from the prayers of the 
saints. I am still tried at times with wanderings in prayer, with 
impatience, and self-will. I groan to be delivered. Formerly 
a weak body pressed down my soul, but for some time a dis- 
tressed mind has much affected my body. 

July 1. Since the twelfth of June I have had much affliction 
of body. The Lord chastened me, but I was not given over 
unto death. O that the rod may answer the gracious designs of 
my heavenly Father. In the course of my illness I had not 
much comfort : at times, the Lord drew nigh, refreshed my soul, 
and composed my spirit ; but at other seasons, through the pres- 
sure of my disorder, I was unable to lift up my heart in the ex- 
ercise of faith and prayer ; when I did, the Lord was at my right 
hand. Since I have been raised up, the Father of mercies has 
allowed me a large measure of the consolations of his Spirit ; 
yet he permits me to be exercised with various trials. that in 
a more sensible manner I felt them bringing forth the fruits of 
righteousness ! My privileges are great, but still I have to 
lament my progress is small. Lord, quicken my tardy pace, for 
the glory of thy great name. 

23. I have experienced since my last date a sensible 

increase of communion with my God, with a deep consciousness 
of my unworthiness in every respect. He has graciously kept 
me in the trying hour, delivered me from giving way to evil rea- 
soning and unbelief, allowed me also many sweet seasons in se- 
cret and social prayer, and has blessed in a measure the means 
of grace. But, O, how unfaithful am I, and how unfruitful ! A 
constant sense of my shortcomings abides with me, though often, 
through the goodness of God, without condemnation, yea, some- 
times with a strong sense of his love. O the depths of divine 
grace ! What cause have I to say, 

" Depth of mercy ! can there be 
Mercy still reserved for me ! 
Can my God his wrath forbear? 
Me, the chief of sinners, spare ?" 

The Lord has in mercy removed some of the trials with which 
I have been so long exercised ; but has permitted others to sue- 



90 LIFE OF LADY MAXWKLl,. 

ceed thorn, the most n Keep me, keep mo, gracious 

God, and never let me go. Since last night 1 felt a degree of 
unbelief which to make dreadful havoc in my soul; 

but I cried to my God with strong cries, and he graciously inter- 
posed. Who is a God like unto our God, who passes by the 
transgressions of the remnant of his people. But I am vile, I 
abhor myself. 

August '2C. For the last three weeks I have been travelling 
for the benefit of my health. During that period I have seen 
and experienced much of the goodness of the Lord, and much 
of my own weakness and proneness to depart from the living 
( m»<1. I I.ivo endured strong temptations and trials, and have not 
been so faithful as I ought to have been ; this has proved a 
source of much and keen distress. Lord, what is man! What 
am I ! how wretched, poor, and miserable in myself. Even after 
all thou hast done for me, how unable to withstand the smallest 
temptation ! Yet, in spite of all my unworthiness, how gracious 
is my God! At times, on the road, heaven itself seemed to be 
open : I might ask what I would. My communion with my God 
was near and delightful, and my union with Jesus intimate. On re- 
flection, I seemed to have been employed rather in enjoying than 
in hungering after more. This spiritual feast was soon succeeded 
by a flood of temptations and trials, where, alas, I failed : yet 
the Lord did not cast me off, but sweetly melted down my heart 
with a godly sorrow for sin, and poured his love into my soul. 

the goodness of God ! 

18. For the last two weeks I have been tried without 

intermission ; yet have had many delightful moments, in which 
my God has been very near, and my Jesus very precious. In- 
deed I have it to say, to the glory of free grace, that I every 
moment behold God reconciled, through the Son of his love : 
though the degrees of sensible comfort and nearness to him 
greatly vary. I often feel such fiery darts from the enemy of 
my soul as almost terrify me : at other times, future trials are 
represented in such frightful colours that for a short time they 
fearfully unhinge me. In all these distresses, real or imaginary, 

1 find no cure but in looking simply to Jesus, and cleaving close 
to him ; but then he supports and comforts me. The Lord has 
condescended to show me his will in a most astonishing manner, 
respecting one of my trials. But, alas ! what shall I say ? when 
the Lord has showed me his will I seem not to have power to 
comply : all within would oppose it. The struggle is great 
between a strong desire to sacrifice all, and obey my God ; and 
an ardent desire to act so, in all things, as to secure the appro- 
bation of the thinking and judicious part of mankind. But, Lord, 
if thou call me to give this up, yea, to forsake all and follow 
thee, Abrahamlike, I would cheerfully obey. 

October 8. Endeavoured to set apart this day entirely for the 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 91 

concerns of my soul, but was not relieved of my present load ; I 
mean various trials pressing hard upon me. On the contrary, 
my distress was greatly heightened by those from whom I expect- 
ed help. my God, I desire to say, in the midst of all, thou 
doest all things well. If I suffer, it is surely needful, and less 
than I deserve. O sanctify my troubles, and when thou seest 
meet remove them : only let me not be tried above what I am 
able, neither suffer me to mistake thy will. I commit myself 
and all my concerns into thy hands. enable me to possess my 
soul in patience, until thou sendest deliverance. Be not thou a 
God afar off in the day of trouble, but nigh at hand, for thy great 
name's sake. The troubles of my heart are enlarged, O bring 
thou me out of my distresses. Remember thy precious promises. 
Let it not displease thee that I plead them with thee ; I would 
bind thee with the girdle of thy own faithfulness. How myste- 
rious are the ways of Providence. His paths are in the deep 
waters, his footsteps are not known. He giveth to none, ac- 
count of his matters. Though not permitted to doubt of the 
favour of God, and having, besides, many precious promises on 
which to rely, I feel at present, like Jonah, as if in the belly of 
hell : so tempted, so tried, so tossed, so perplexed, so surrounded 
with mountains of difficulties ! Lord, clothe me with the whole 
Christian armour, that I may be able to withstand in the evil 
day, and having done all to stand. 

November 15. Felt unwell this morning, but was blessed 
in social prayer and Christian conversation. I was greatly ani- 
mated, and all this day my expectations have been great respect- 
ing the accomplishment of some precious promises. I seem to 
have had at times a foretaste of the happiness 1 hope soon to 
enjoy. Surely my God is near, and he will turn again my cap- 
tivity. I have expected every time I have gone to prayer that 
he would burst my remaining bonds asunder, and deliver me out 
of the hands of my enemies, that I may henceforward serve him 
in true holiness, without fear, all the days of my life. Come, 
Lord Jesus, come quickly. 

December 18. The Lord has been gracious this week in 
restraining my enemies, and allowing me a measure of commu- 
nion with himself; in blessing his word in reading, and by inclin- 
ing me in every possible way to act for him. He has indeed 
made this a very comfortable day. In the morning I was tried, 
and for a moment I was ready to yield, but quick as lightning 
came the Lord to my assistance. I endeavoured to give the 
cause of the trial to himself; he comforted me, and has removed 
it. How tenderly does he deal with his children. He also 
to-day strengthened my hands by my helping others in different 
ways, especially in conversation and social prayer. In the 
former, when speaking of the Lord's second coming, he made me 
to rejoice with joy unspeakable ; and while employed in the latter, 



92 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

I was made to mount up on the wings of faith and love : God 
the Father felt benignly nigh. The joy of the Lord in a pecu- 
liar manner, this week, has been my strength. I have walked 
up and down in his name, rejoicing for the consolation. He has 
heard my prayers, and answered them, both for myself and others. 
On Tuesday I asked earnestly his comfortable presence, when 
intending to moot with a few Christian friends for prayer and 
religious conversation ; and he was unspeakably gracious to us 
all. ( ) how good is God ! But Satan has varied his temptations. 
When much distressed in body and mind on many accounts, he 
tempted me to despondency and unbelief; now that the Lord is 
gracious, and has enlarged my borders in a spiritual way, he 
tempts me to self-approbation. But my soul abhors the thought : 
the Lord has made me as fearful of this abomination as of hell 
itself; nay, more. I have cried to the Lord against it ; I have 
repeatedly fled to the blood of Jesus, and endeavoured to lie very 
low before my God, and the force of the temptation is abated. 

— ■ — 29. For some time the Lord has been exceedingly 
gracious unto me. Last week he made me walk more imme- 
diately in his presence : appealing to him for what I did and left 
undone. My fellowship, in a low degree, Avas with the Father 
and the Son. My love to secret prayer, and power to abide in 
it more than usual, still continues ; and though I do not always 
obtain immediate answers, I reap generally the fruit of it after- 
ward ; by finding, when with others, a power to keep my mind 
stayed upon God, to hold communion with him, and ability to 
converse with profit ; it also keeps me more sensible of his pre- 
sence wherever I am. He has of late condescended to bless 
serious conversation on religious subjects to my own soul and 
others ; and also afforded me many opportunities to act for him, 
by doing good to my fellowcreatures. This, I thank God, is 
still my clement; not from any expectation of gaining heaven by 
it — that I know is the alone purchase of the blood of Jesus, but 
from a more noble principle — love to Jesus, and a desire to 
glorify God. I would that all I have and am were devoted to 
him. Yesterday the Lord taught me a useful lesson. I had 
gone to his house with large expectations ; and after waiting 
upon him in the use of the means, without feeling more of his 
power or love than I had brought with me, I grew dissatisfied, 
and felt a fear lest I should lose what I already possessed : 
immediately I felt a deep conviction that it was my duty and 
privilege to cleave as close to God when dry and barren, as 
when full of divine consolation. This, as if coming from above, 
penetrated to the centre of my heart, and brought with it a power 
to comply which led me to hope it was from God, and it has in 
some measure abode with me until now. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 



CHAPTER IX.— 1774. 

Remarks on Providence — Diary continued. 

During several months of the last* and present year, and in- 
deed at different periods of her life, Lady M. appears to have 
been greatly exercised, by being called to pass under dark and 
mysterious dispensations of Providence. She was habitually 
accustomed to adore Jehovah in his government of the world. 
She firmly believed that every event, small as well as great, was 
subject to his sovereign management and control ; that the 
operations of his hands extended to all the minute circumstances 
of her life ; and, therefore, gratefully relied upon the consola- 
tory declaration, " The very hairs of your head are all number- 
ed." This, with her, as we shall have frequent opportunity to 
observe, was not an idle speculation, but a practical principle. 
She, therefore, diligently sought to know the will of God ; not 
only as it related to the interests of her soul, but also to the 
arrangement of her temporal concerns ; by studying his word ; 
by persevering in prayer ; by attending to the indications of his 
providence ; and, in short, by acknowledging him in all her 
ways. Yet, at different seasons, she was permitted to wander 
through a tedious night of providential darkness, before she re- 
ceived the accomplishment of the promise, " He shall direct thy 
paths." It is in this way the Lord frequently " trieth the right- 
eous," and calls into exercise their patience, their fidelity, their 
fortitude, their resignation. Yet his promise cannot fail ; if 
they endure as seeing Him who is invisible, he will bring them 
forth as pure gold. The Christian believer should, therefore, 
never despond ; should never give way, no not for a moment, to 
dishonourable thoughts of God. Though all around be gloomy 
and portentous, though not a single ray of light dart across his 
path, yet let him remember that all is under the guidance and 
direction of that almighty Being who has never once failed to 
deliver his people out of all their troubles.* 

* The following judicious and practical remarks on this sublime subject, 
by a Lutheran divine, (vide Sohnii Op., torn. ii. art. 19, de providentia,) 
deserve the most serious attention. " Providence displays the wisdom, 
goodness, power, and other attributes of God ; we should therefore study 
his perfections in it. The providence of God governs us with cool and. 
consummate wisdom and goodness ; we should therefore avoid all rash 
censures of it. God governs us with uncontrollable power ; we should not 
therefore attempt to resist his government, as if we would provoke the Lord 
to jealousy, by pretending to be stronger than he. God governs by means ; 
we should therefore neither tempt him by neglecting to use them, nor vainly 
abuse them to superstitious purposes. God extends his providential care 
over the most minute objects ; therefore we should avoid anxious solicitude, 
and rely upon him for a supply of all our wants. Since, in providence, 
all instruments are to us only what it pleases God to make them, we should 



94 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

January 17. Upo:i a review, as usual, of the past year, I 
found it had been a time of great trial from various quarters, and 
also of great consolation. Upon the whole, I had reason to con- 
clude that I had made some small advances in the divine life : 
but when I considered the privileges which I had enjoyed, I saw 
ise to be ashamed that I had attained no farther. I 
endeavoured to humble myself before the Lord, and to renew my 
covenant engagements to be his : this I found myself heartily 
Willing to do, and he made it a profitable time to me. O that I 
may. it' spared, be more faithful to my gracious God this ensuing 
^ince its commencement I have experienced his goodness 
in many ways. Mercies and trials have been blended in an un- 
common way. 

March 5. Still I am kept looking for a deliverance from spi- 
ritual foes, and also from temporal difficulties, that I have not yet 
experienced. My soul pants, after a full enjoyment of my God ; 
all things, persons, and places seem empty. O that he would 
quickly come ! The attraction from above is powerful, though 
more in desire than in possession ; yet the little I do enjoy 
^creates such a fervour in my soul for more as admits of little or 
no delay ; such a thirst as nothing but God himself can satisfy. 
In the midst of trials and temptations, both outward and inward, 
he keeps me strongly desiring, and feebly attempting, to embrace 
every opportunity that offers for glorifying him in every possible 
way. And in this he is not a barren wilderness to me, but com- 
forts and strengthens my heart. Often, in tender mercy, he 
condescends to let me see he accepts of my desires to serve 
him ; yet my heart is pained I do so little for him, that I love 
him so little, and am so little conformed to him. I have long 
esteemed his will very precious, and in some measure delighted 
in it ; yet, alas, how often does my nature in some things spurn 
at it. Lord, this is my misery, my hell. O destroy all rebellion 
in it, with a sweet omnipotence : this, my God, thy mighty 
arm alon« can effect. 

18. I hardly know what to make of my present situation. 

My views of spiritual objects seem clear, my faith pretty strong, 
and my desires after entire devotion ardent : yet I feel, to my 
own apprehension, languid and dull ; have little sensible comfort ; 
not so much power to abide in secret prayer, and many wander- 
ings, both in secret and family prayer. I feel in danger of 

take care never to sacrifice to our own net. However prudent our plans 
may be tunned, and however successfully they may be executed, as all 
events depend on God, we .should pray to him with submission and confi- 
dence. Since providence is the management of God, we should neither 
be proud in prosperity nor distrustful in adversity." Lady Maxwell ap- 
pears to have had these important truths engraven on her heart by the 
linger of God ; and the support which she thus secured to herself during 
seasons of severe trial is strikingly exemplified in very many of the fol- 
lowing extract?. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 95 

repining and growing impatient, because my God delays his 
coming in that full and permanent manner he has promised. But 
in spite of all these discouragements as to myself, the Lord is 
enlarging my sphere of usefulness ; increasing greatly my op- 
portunities ; enabling me with desire to embrace them ; and 
sometimes not only suspends my spiritual distress when acting 
for him, but also silences my complaints, and gives me freedom 
and power to speak for him. Perhaps he may see it needful to 
keep me low as to spiritual enjoyment, lest an abundance of both 
should puff me up. my God, keep me from spiritual pride, 
that dreadful evil ; — but would not more of thy grace humble me ? 
The more I have of thee the more I should loathe myself; the 
more I should see of my own nothingness. 0, come then, gra- 
cious God, overpower me with thy love ! swallow up my soul in 
thee : nothing less will satisfy. 

April 12. Still He who cannot err, sees meet to suspend the 
accomplishment of precious promises, and to exercise me with 
many outward trials, and inward pressures and conflicts. Surely 
he does all things well. What I know not now I shall know 
hereafter. The language of Providence in some dispensations 
I cannot understand ; but must believe what is is best, as it must 
be the express or permissive will of God. Yet I find, however 
it is with me, as it respects either joy or sorrow, prosperity or 
adversity, I am enabled, in a small degree, to pursue invariably 
the glory of God. I think this is the habitual bent of my soul : 
though, alas, I come far short, and find much in me to oppose 
the will of God. Yet I am struggling for deliverance, for full 
conformity to it. 

May 17. For these last three weeks I have endured a fight of 
afflictions, from almost every quarter. The Lord has showed 
his power in strengthening me to bear them, by enabling me in 
some measure to cleave to him ; and, in spite of all opposition, 
to believe he would perfect what concerned me ; that not one 
word should fail of all the things of which he had spoken. The 
Lord 1 know can save me in a storm, but constant trials are not 
pleasant to flesh and blood. At times, when seemingly pressed 
out of measure, I have felt a degree of impatience, unbelief, and 
many other evil tempers, which have been cause of sorrow to 
me ; at other times, 1 have sensibly felt a present power imparted 
from on high, whereby I have been made as if impregnable. 
My enemies might do their worst, but could not overcome. This 
was indeed comfortable, especially as it was attended with a 
sweet persuasion of victory ; that, if I would stand still, I should 
see the salvation of God. "Within these three weeks, I have had 
twice an opportunity of sitting down at the Lord's table ; neither 
of the times was attended with remarkable comfort ; but a 
cleaving to God, by strong faith, in the midst of many trials. 
As it respects some of these trials, he has, while in prayer and 



96 LIFE OF LADV MAXWELL. 

laying my distress before him, clearly pointed out my way, and 
succeeded me in it ; others he leaves me yet to grapple with, but I 
am not comfortless ; for at all times I see him by faith as my God 
in Christ, though not with the same degTee of sensible comfort. 

June 3. Since the 17th of last month it has been a time of 
ted trials. God is love, and giveth no unnecessary pain. 
Surely then He who cannot err sees it needful I should be thus 
tried. So perverse is human nature, even after sove- 
reign grace has in some measure rectified it, thai without fre- 
quent painful visitations from the lenient hand of the Father of 
our spirits, we should often go astray. In spite of all I suffer, 
I feel, when in any degree free from the strong influence of 
powerful temptations, a secret persuasion, that I shall not only 
overcome at last, but enjoy even here below a great rest from sin 
and self; that the Lord will bring me into a wealthy place, 
and make me glad according to the days wherein I have seen 
evil. Hasten, Lord, the happy time. For some days I have 
had a great struggle ; have been obliged to fight against princi- 
palities, and powers, and the rulers of darkness ; but, endeavour- 
ing to trust in the faithfulness and mercy of my God, in the face 
of the army of the aliens, I felt mightily strengthened from on high; 
and was enabled through grace to put them to flight. In every 
combat, I find my only safety lies in cleaving to God, in believ- 
ing resolutely and steadily in the Lord Jesus, in opposition to all 
I either feel or fear. 

21. Since the 10th of last month the furnace of temp- 
tation and trial has been hotter ; yet, in the midst of it, I think 
my soul has been panting after God, breathing intensely after all 
the life divine ; though tempted at times to think I was growing 
indifferent. When attacked from every quarter by my foes, I 
have at seasons sensibly felt a power from on high resting upon 
me, whereby I was enabled to endure temptation with silence 
of spirit ; but at other times, when they have pressed very hard, 
I have been in danger of giving way to hard thoughts of God ; 
instantly I was made sensible of my danger, and obtained power 
to stifle them in the birth. I have often felt the Lord peculiarly 
gracious to my own soul when attempting to do good to others ; 
and, sometimes, upon the bare mention of the name of Jesus by 
another, he has so sweetly manifested his presence by faith as 
is much better felt than expressed. He greatly encourages me 
to act for him, even in the midst of trials, by the present reward 
he bestows, and he still increases my opportunities for it, with 
power and inclination to use them. I have of late felt strongly 
tempted to doubt of my interest in Jesus, but endeavoured 
through grace to repel it : then he drew nigh, and gave me re- 
peated proofs of his dying love to my soul, and thereby, for the 
time, strengthened my faith ; I was enabled to resist Satan, and 
he fled from me. When the force of the trial abated, and the 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 97 

clouds were scattered, in God's light I saw light, and was assured 
I did believe in Jesus. O that these trials, though in the mean- 
time grievous, may prove the means of rooting and grounding 
me in the love of God and filling me with all his fulness. 

July 18. The Lord is still continuing his goodness to my soul ; 
he has for these two weeks given me a greater degree of com- 
munion with him and nearness to him, more power and sweet- 
ness in secret prayer, and at times a remarkable enjoyment of his 
presence. Especially last Lord's day, in the afternoon, when in 
his house of prayer, I felt surrounded with his goodness : heaven 
seemed let down into my soul. But I was soon stripped of all, 
and left to fight every inch of ground with my enemies. All I 
could do was to fly by simple faith to Christ, and entreat he 
would not permit my foes to deprive me of what he had bestowed. 
I think my prayer was heard, for when the battle was over, I 
felt he had kept what I had committed to him, and I hope I was 
no loser. Surely there is one lesson the Lord means to teach 
me by these repeated conflicts and variable frames, viz., that he 
changes not ; that in every state I should be persuaded of it, and 
invariably trust him. Lord, enable me constantly to do this. 

24. I have cause to say, " Bless the Lord, O my soul, 

and all that is within me bless his holy name." He has indeed 
been gracious to me ; O that I could make suitable returns ! 
Since Tuesday, last week, the Lord has made much of his good- 
ness to pass before me. He has enabled me, by faith, to retain 
that degree of additional fellowship and communion with him- 
self which he gave me two weeks ago ; but it has been by fight- 
ing every inch of ground with my spiritual foes. Satan has tried 
every artifice to rob me of it ; — he has had recourse to pleasure 
and pain, to smiles and frowns ; but, through the tender mercy 
of my God, all his stratagems have failed. My mind is still stayed 
upon God, trusting upon him. He has deeply convinced me that 
there is no way to retain any blessing but by simple faith, cleav- 
ing close to Christ ; and flying from evil reasoning as from the 
face of a serpent. Within these two weeks I have indeed proved 
the truth of this. I have been tried various ways, and in all 
found nothing would avail me but this method ; but this has suc- 
ceeded in the midst of fiery darts, wanderings, dryness in duties, 
fears of losing what I had attained, and deep piercing convictions 
of unfaithfulness and unworthiness. Last Lord's day I had an 
opportunity of renewing my engagements to be his for ever, by 
sitting down at his table, and he made it indeed a time of refresh- 
ing from his presence. I enjoyed sweet communion with God ; 
salvation was for walls and bulwarks ; my mind was truly 
stayed upon my God ; and I was enabled to endure as seeing 
Him who is invisible. My meditations of him were sweet, faith 
shone with a meridian brightness all the day. I cannot express 
what I enjoyed ; I was encompassed with his favour as with a 



98 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

shield. Yet in the midst of all this, Satan had well nigh deprived 
me of it ; but I fled to Jesus for help, and he succoured me : 
and this day the Lord made my peace flow as a river, and gave 
me such a degree of fellowship with himself as I cannot express. 
" O for a heart to praise my God." He made me very joyful 
in his house of prayer, while I heard a very profitable and prac- 
tical discourse by Mr. Erskine, from Joshua xxiv, 15, " But as 
for me and mv house, we will serve the Lord." I found this was 
the resolution of my heart and the language of my practice ; 
though conscious of continual shortcomings, and many evils. 
From the moment I sat down in the church, some time before 
the sci \ ice began, I enjoyed sweet and strong communion with 
my God. His life and love flowed into my soul. I was made 
to ride upon my high places ; and was fed with the heritage of 
Jacob. Afterward, fearing my enemies, who are always nigh 
on such occasions, 1 cried to the Lord to confirm my soul, and 
keep me from sin and Satan ; and he graciously heard and 
answered me. While I conversed with others he made my 
mountain to stand strong, and gave me clear views of what he 
had done for me. O my God, what cause have I to say thou 
art a faithful God, and thy tender mercies are over all thy works ! 
Bless the Lord, O my soul. 

26. The Lord this day heaped his favours upon me. 

Being called from home in the way of duty, he not only disap- 
pointed my fears, but greatly exceeded my expectations. How 
great is his goodness. While on the road, heaven seemed let 
into my soul. I truly experienced, all the day, the accomplish- 
ment of the gracious promise made by our blessed Lord, John 
xiv, 23. Whether silent or speaking, whether in secret prayer 
or reading, whether meditating or employed in ejaculatory 
prayer, it was indeed one of the days of the Son of man. My 
enjoyment of God did not consist so much in rapturous feeling, 
or ecstatic joy, as in solid, delightful, deep communion with God 
the Father, and God the Son, through the eternal Spirit. This 
diffused through my soul such a heavenly serenity, such a divine 
sweetness and unutterable peace, as mocks all expression — lan- 
guage fails. The divine origin of all this, I think, was proved 
by its effects ; which were — not confidence in the flesh, nor self- 
exalting, or approving thoughts; no — but a consciousness of un- 
worthiness, of unfaithfulness, and weakness ; yet joined with a 
sweet confidence in God; hanging upon him by constant prayer 
and faith, with filial fear of offending him, and a continued self- 
examination, and renewing the sense of his presence. O my God, 
stablish and strengthen my soul, and keep me in the hollow of 
thine hand, for I am weak as helpless infancy. On returning 
home, I felt indisposed, but the Lord continued his goodness. O 
heavenly Father, succeed the feeble attempts made to act for 
thee by helping others. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 99 

August 5. This day, also, I have to record the loving kind- 
ness of the IiOrd. From morning till night my time was spent 
for God, in acting for the temporal and spiritual benefit of my 
fellow creatures. The Lord made my mountain to stand strong ; 
my fellowship was with the Father and the Son. Though my 
usual time in secret was much abridged, my God did not suffer 
me to lose by it ; but enabled me to enjoy delightful intercourse 
with himself, in sitting down and rising up, going out and com- 
ing in. " O to grace how great a debtor !" I feel much led to 
be instant in prayer that the Lord may confirm my soul, and not 
let any enemy rob me of what he has given me. I trust it is the 
beginning of good things : and that noiv the Lord hath begun to 
accomplish his promises, he will not leave off till he hath done 
all for me of which he has- spoken. Surely not one word of his 
shall fail : He is a faithful God. I do not think I am yet pos- 
sessed of all I think included in the blessing of entire devotion : 
I believe I enjoy a measure of it. I am enabled to believe in a 
fuller and larger measure than usual, and have a more constant 
and deeper communion with God and with his dear Son than 
formerly. My heart more than ever cleaves to the means of 
grace, and I am more blessed in them. I have a keener sensi- 
bility of evil : stronger desires after all the fulness of God; and 
a greater resting- in him. From these evidences and fruits, I 
conclude the Lord has deepened his work in my soul. O my 
God, give the clear and abiding witness of thy Spirit, to testify 
unto me what thou hast done for me. Give it for sanctification 
as thou hast given it for justification. 

17. Still the Lord continues to bless me, still he ena- 
bles me to cleave to him by faith, and to believe for the blessing 
lately received, even when much of the sensible comfort of it is 
withdrawn. This 1 think one proof of true faith. When we only 
believe inconsequence of great joy, and lose that belief as soon 
as the joy is gone, we make comfort the foundation of our faith, 
and not the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Still, however, I must 
believe that true faith is inseparably connected, less or more, 
with love, joy, and peace. The Lord still gives me to feel more 
comfort in morning devotion ; and this forenoon, I enjoyed the 
privilege and found the benefit of Christian conversation and so- 
cial prayer. Just after, I spent a long time in assisting those 
who have set out in the good way of God, and proved it of use 
to myself. How closely connected is our duty and interest ; 
and herein appears the wisdom and goodness of the Most High. 

Sept. 3. I have not that degree of comfort which I have en ■ 
joyed, neither that clearness respecting the increase of grace 
the Lord gave me of late ; yet I dare not give it up. I fly from 
doubting of what the Lord has done. He has given me so many 

fromises that I must believe ; but it is a time of temptation, 
iord, stand by me, and let me not give up the beginning of my 



100 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

confidence, as it regards the last blessing. I have been for some 
days unhappy, from a fear of losing through unbelief what the 
Lord has done for me. 

17. For several days my soul has, I think, been pur- 
suing after more near and intimate communion with God ; it 
there be any difference, it seems rather increased. Wherever 
I am, this is the habitual desire of my heart ; in comparison ot 
it all other things are as nothing. I am kept crying constantly 
to the Lord for it, under discouragements, outward and inward ; 
I find the necessity of asserting my liberties in the face of Satan 
and sin. I still can believe for the blessing lately received, in 
a small degree ; but more from simple faith than enjoyment. 
Jesus so sweetly manifests his presence by faith as I cannot 
easily express : he is truly precious to my soul, as the chiefest 
of ten thousand. I am uncomfortable if I do not every moment 
find communion with the Father and the Son. I do in a degree 
experience this, but then it appears in my own eyes so far short 
of what I expect, and also think included in the blessing of en- 
tire devotion, that I am sometimes in danger of despising the 
day of small things : but again, when I look to the amazing pro- 
mises the Lord has not only made in general in his word, but 
frequently applied with power to my mind, I am greatly encou- 
raged to press on ; to pray always and not faint ; because, " he 
is faithful who has promised, who also will do it." I have it to 
record, to the glory of my God, that when I attempt to do any 
thing for him, either by speaking for him in my own house, or 
visiting the sick abroad, he greatly assists me, by increasing my 
communion with himself, and giving me to feel sweet liberty in 
my own soul. But still 1 feel a degree of darkness and uncertain- 
ty on my mind, with regard to the Lord's will concerning me in 
some particulars ; though for some time I have had power to 
stay my soul upon him, and to pray that he would -accomplish 
" all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith 
with power." I have felt less sweetness in secret prayer than 
for some time. 

21. My communion with my God has been almost un- 
interrupted for several days : 

" Not a cloud did arise, to darken the skies, 
Or hide for a moment my Lord from my eyes." 

I have not had much joy, but sweet peace. The Lord Jesus 
has been unspeakably precious. His name has indeed been as 
ointment poured forth, and my soul has cleaved to him : he is 
truly the desire of my eyes, and the delight of my heart, the 
source of all my consolation. But I know little of him, in com- 
parison of what I might, and hope to do. Many opportunities 
are daily offering whereby to glorify God and profit my fellow- 
creatures, which the Lord still inclines and enables me to em- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 101 

brace. I am deeply conscious that of myself I can do nothing; 
but I am fully persuaded that the weakest instrument in the hand 
of Omnipotence is equal to the most arduous task : and he some- 
times condescends to show me that my words, though spoken in 
weakness, do not always fall to the ground. Independently of 
this consideration, I feel constantly desirous to fill up my time 
with and for God : to take every opportunity that he gives me 
for glorifying him in every possible way. This often makes 
me singular, and reduces me to the disagreeable necessity of 
walking and acting not as others do, which gives offence. 
People often assign a cause for my conduct, that only exists in 
their own imagination, viz., that I think myself better than 
others. This gives me pain. It is certainly contrary to my 
natural temper to say, " Stand by, I am holier than thou." But 
I cannot help it, it is a cross, and I must either bear it, or walk 
contrary to the light imparted from on high. 

October 3. In the course of these last eight days, I have 
been variously tempted and tried ; but have also experienced the 
Lord's goodness in many ways. The force of trials and tempta- 
tions has, in some measure, impaired my joy ; but I find the 
bitterest ingredient is a fear, that I have been unfaithful : this 
is grievous to my soul. I ask not freedom from sufferings, but 
O, I ardently desire to be faithful to God in all things, and in all 
situations to glorify him. Lord, thy sovereign grace can effect 
this great work in the heart of a worm. O, for the honour of 
thy name, do this thing, and I will praise thee. At times, I 
have enjoyed communion with God, and Jesus has been precious 
to me, but still I am defective in watching, in wrestling, in 
prayer, in humility, and in every grace. Yet I find it will not 
do to sit down and despond : I must be up and be doing. The 
Lord is still teaching me the important lesson of living by faith, 
and it generally brings fresh strength and comfort into my soul. 
He shows me that I stand by faith, that this faith is his gift, 
and that I receive it by looking unto Jesus ; by believing in 
him ; and by cleaving to him in spite of all I either fear or feel. 
I also find it of great use to endeavour, — in opposition to unbe- 
lief, evil reasoning, and the suggestions of Satan, — to believe 
resolutely the promises of God ; that he is faithful who hath pro- 
mised, who also will do it. His promise, I find, must be the ob- 
ject of my faith ; this at all times, however improbable to rea- 
son the accomplishment may appear : and when I am thus 
attempting to fight the good fight of faith, he generally sets to 
his seal of approbation by pouring consolation and strength into 
my soul. 

12. I have been taught several important lessons. I 

have been shown the evil and great impropriety of lightness of 
spirit, in a religious character ; and made earnestly desirous to 
get entirely freed from it. I have seen the beauty of being at 



102 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

all times religiously recollected, and sweetly solemn ; and have 
also greatly desired to be so : I have likewise been deeply con- 
vinced of the great sin of speaking evil of any one, or even men- 
tioning, without necessity, what may be true of absent persons, 
if it is bad; and have longed to be more than ever clear herein.* 
I have also seen it is a great device of Satan to hinder me from 
dwelling upon the great things which God has already done for 
me, under the plausible pretext of pressing on for what I have 
not yet attained ; by so doing he prevents a proper enjoyment of 
what I have already, and of consequence diminisheth my grati- 
tude to the great Author of all. 

27. Was much alone to-day, yet enjoyed little comfort. 

I was long employed in secret prayer and reading the Scrip- 
tures ; studying the promises, and praying over them ; looking 
and longing for their accomplishment ; pained with my distance 
from God, and yet unable to get nearer. Yet I endeavoured to 
stir up others to trust in him, and could reason well upon the im- 
mutability of his promises ; but felt little benefit from it myself. 
I feel, more than ever, called to trust in the promises, but am 
uncommonly tempted with unbelief. O what a hydra is this 
foe ! Lord, subdue it. I begin to think one fruitful source of 
distress to me is, a spirit too anxious, too vehement, and too 
restless. I fear, I attach an improper importance to my efforts 
in attempting to go in the good way ; at least, I am beginning to 
suspect there is something of this in the case. I restlessly use 
duty, and mean after mean, as if the Lord could or would do 
nothing without me. In one sense this is true ; but I fear I 
trust too much to the use of means, to my own feeble efforts, and 
do not simply use them, and yet look above them to their great 
Author. One reason for my thinking thus is, I am perfectly 
uneasy if kept from any ; and if at any time laid aside through 
affliction, and especially if confined to bed, I am ready to con- 
clude all that time is lost ; as if I were not as safe when suffering 
the will of God as when doing it : or as if the Lord cannot ope- 
rate on my soul unless I am found in some active duty. Lord, 
if this is really my folly, convince me clearly of it, and cure me 
thoroughly. O may I ever remember that the greatest work of 
all is to believe. 

31. Found myself profited to-day by taking up my 

cross. Was also benefited by social prayer, and Christian con- 
verse upon the deep things of God ; and by endeavouring to help 

* " Slander," says Saurin, "is a vice impure in its source, dangerous 
in its effects, general in its influence, irreparable in its consequence ; a 
vice that strikes at once three mortal blows ; it wounds him who commits 
it, him against whom it is committed, and him who sees it committed. It 
is tolerated in society only because every one has an invincible inclina- 
tion to commit it." But this inclination, though invincible, when opposed 
by merely human efforts, yields to the power of omnipotent grace. — Sou- 
rro'j S'rm., vol. iv, p. 134. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 103 

a Christian friend out of the mire of temptation, otherwise 
stionger in the faith than myself. O the fascinating power of 
temptation ! Lord, what are the strongest Christians without 
thy continual aid ! Perhaps I stood more in need of the ex- 
hortation than my friend ; but I find it is much more profitable, 
when I meet with Christians who have many complaints, to 
encourage them to trust in God, to exercise faith and love, than 
to join in complaining, by telling them all my particular grievances. 
I may have much to bewail, as well as they ; but I have often 
found, in encouraging others, my own soul blessed, my faith 
strengthened, and love increased. My soul has been restlessly 
pursuing after God ; I have felt more power to abide in prayer, 
to trust that the Lord will finish his work in my soul, and accom- 
plish all the good pleasure of his will in me, and the work of 
faith with power, even though I should, in the course of Provi- 
dence, be deprived of those helps which I have found peculiarly 
useful. In the view of this to-day, I found I could repose my 
soul on God. Surely no creature, or thing, can be of any use to 
me, but what he makes them ; of consequence, if he remove one, 
he can raise up another. Lord, increase my trust in thee. 

Nov. 12. Since my last date I have been sorely afflicted in 
body. that it may bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteous- 
ness. During the first day or two of my illness my mind was 
very languid; so that I could hardly put up one petition. The Lord 
in mercy kept off the enemy ; I was more free than usual from in- 
ward conflicts ; but I felt much confusion of thought, owing in 
part, no doubt, to the violence of the disorder. I felt much, but 
feared more ; and, in the event of death, almost dreaded appear- 
ing before the tribunal of God ; while so stupid and confused, I 
forgot that his mighty power could in a moment make me fit for 
it, if it had then been his will to have called me home. What a 
multitude of thoughts, unreasonable and false ones, does unbelief 
produce. How amazingly, also, is the whole frame unhinged, 
when the nerves and spirits are affected ! Were it the will of 
my God, how desirable would be an exemption from these 
afflictions, which deeply affect either. " A man may sustain his 
infirmities, but a wounded spirit who can bear ?" This com- 
pletely unmans one ; all our natural fortitude is lost ; we then 
fear where no fear is, and dread a thousand evils that never 
befall us. In short, we turn adepts in self-tormenting : with the 
poet, I would say, 

" All deaths, all tortures, in one pang combined, 
Are gentle, to the torments of the mind." 

When raised from a bed of sickness I felt piercing convictions 
of unfaithfulness, unfruitfulness, unworthiness ; and was ashamed 
to look up to God, I had made so little progress in his ways, 
and vet for years had been surrounded with every spiritual 



104 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

advantage ; I felt so little of the mind of Christ. At the same 
time, my views of Jesus as my God and Saviour were clear ; 
and I was so encompassed about with precious promises that I 
was kept from sinking. 

22. I felt once or twice this morning strongly tempted 

to anger and pride. The Lord quickly showed the danger, and 
I think gave me victory. Yet Satan nearly disturbed my com- 
fort just after, by suggesting that I had given way in some 
degree ; and, therefore, " I had better give up, at least, part of 
the happiness I enjoyed, for I had no title to it." I saw the 
cloven foot, was aware of his intention, and cried to the Lord to 
rebuke him. I fled also afresh to the blood of Jesus, lest I 
might have contracted any guilt ; and, immediately after, my 
God was indeed gracious — increased my faith and love ; and 
wonderfully opened my mouth, to declare his goodness to my 
soul, before those who feared and loved him. He also enabled 
me to keep up the spirit of religious conversation before others : 
and encouraged me by some persons declaring that they had 
received benefit from my former conversation and attempts to 
help them. How condescending was this to my weakness, but I 
fear I felt too much complacency in it ; for, though I went with 
enlarged expectations in the evening to his house of prayer, all 
was unprofitable, and I was much disappointed. Lord, make me 
dead to all approbation but thi?ie, and surely that will not make 
me high-minded. 

Dec. 31. The last day of this year. O that I were able to 
look back with satisfaction on a year spent wholly for, and to 
God. I can, I think, truly say, this has been my constant aim 
through the whole of it ; but, alas, I have come far short, and 
have reason to say, " It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not 
consumed." O my God, as thou hast brought me to the end of 
another year, accept of my grateful thanks for all the goodness 
thou hast made to pass before me in the course of it. O sanctify 
all the dispensations of thy providence toward me : forgive all 
my sins in heart or life, known or unknown. O permit and en- 
able me, in thy strength, to devote myself afresh unto thee, with 
all I have and am, or ever shall have. 

" Take my body, spirit, soul, 
Only thou possess the whole." 

Through thy grace may I, while I live, only live to thee ; and 
when I die, may I die to thee. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 105 

CHAPTER X.— 1775. 

Diary continued. 

January 13. This day, though much employed with God, I 
was much grieved with hardness of heart and unbelief. My 
heart would still pant after full communion with God ; this only 
can satisfy my soul, but, O my faith is greatly tried by the ac- 
complishment of the promises being so long delayed. I see, 
both from the word of God and the experience of Christians in 
all ages, that this has generally been the case : they have been 
tried to the uttermost, before the Lord performed what he had 
spoken ; especially when he was about to do any great work, 
either in them or by them. Yet I am very impatient. Hope 
deferred maketh my heart sick. The trial of my faith is both 
precious and profitable ; but it is also very painful : surely the 
blessing will be sweet, and very permanent, when it does come. 
Through the whole of this day I was tempted to relinquish hope, 
and was ready to say, I shall never see the fulfilment of the 
promises. This was my infirmity, and though the Lord suffered 
me to cry long, yet at last he applied to my mind a comfortable 
passage to quiet my fears, and to strengthen my faith : " And a 
man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from 
the tempest : as rivers of water in a dry place ; as the shadow 
of a great rock in a weary land." Delightful words ; I have 
often experienced them true. Jesus hath been very precious to 
me, and clear of the eye of faith. Temporal things were also 
distressing to me. I had cried much to the Lord, and had ob- 
tained no answer, which greatly discouraged me; my hands 
were hanging down, and my knees waxing feeble : but concern- 
ing this, also, his word brought relief: " I have been with thee 
in six troubles, and will not leave thee in the seventh." How 
great is his goodness ! O Lord, when wilt thou enable me to 
make some small return, by loving thee with all my heart ? O 
why dost thou keep a poor soul so long at such a painful distance 
from thee 1 — a soul that so ardently desires, and so constantly 
pants, for uninterrupted communion with thee ; for power to 
walk with thee like Enoch of old. O have compassion on me, 
and bring me near. 

22. (Sunday.) I have endured much anguish of spirit for 

some time. My heart, has been as it were, wrung within me 
through the cruel power of unbelief; I mean, as it relates to the 
accomplishment of precious promises. With respect to my 
interest in Jesus, I bless the Father of mercies there is no un- 
certainty on this subject : all is clear, and Jesus is in my heart 
the constant hope of glory. But this cannot suffice ; yet it ought, 
I think, to afford me more comfort than I seem willing to receive. 
Like the children of Israel, the bondage of corruption and unbe- 
5* 



106 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

lief is so galling, I cannot, through anguish of spirit, listen to 
any thing comfortable : Satan, also, is permitted to sift me as 
wheat ; hitherto the Lord has prayed for me, else I had utterly 
failed. Yet, I have cause to sing of mercy, as well as of judg- 
ment. Notwithstanding my variegated distresses, the Lord hath 
brought many gracious promises, with peculiar force and sweet- 
ness, to my remembrance, both as it concerns myself and some 
of my near relations. how thankful ought I to be : but, alas ! 
my distress is so great, I fail much in this delightful duty. My 
heart feels more and more emptied of things below, they grow 
v,ery insipid. This spiritual circumcision is truly painful, but I 
believe very necessary for the soul that would be entirely de- 
voted to God. I wait for God — my soul doth wait ; yea, in the 
midst of my distress it pants for him. I cannot live at this dis- 
tance. I would fain hope rest and deliverance are at hand ; 
matters appear to be approaching to a crisis. O that it might 
be now I — speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. 

February 1. Enjoyed precious means of grace to-day, which 
were in a measure profitable. My heart panted after more of 
God, yet I met with a trial which felt severe. I was tempted 
to evil tempers ; but enjoyed power to look to Jesus, and was 
delivered : they obtained no place in my heart. I never so 
clearly perceived the difference between temptation and sin. It 
made Jesus precious to my soul as a strong deliverer. 

4. Found power to abide in prayer this morning. I felt 

several times as if inwardly warned to expect that something 
painful was about to happen ; but I did not enough regard the 
secret intimation ; and, therefore, did not arm myself as I ought 
to have done by prayer. When the trial came, I was hurried 
and unprepared, and did not, as usual, cry for the Lord's presence 
and direction, and I smarted for my folly and unfaithfulness. 
After it was begun, a horror seemed to seize my spirit. I then 
feared my foes, and looked to the Lord for help. He was gra- 
cious, and enabled me to cleave to himself, as a girdle to the 
loins of a man. By faith, I saw Him that is invisible, and my 
soul felt sweetly and sensibly anchored within the veil. how 
good is it to have Jesus for our friend in the time of trial, and to 
find him near for our assistance ! 

21. For some mornings, as soon as I awoke, my thoughts 

have sprung up to the beloved of my soul ; and he has felt very 
nigh, and my hold of him strong. Lately, I find most power to 
enjoy communion with God in meditation, in conversing with 
others on spiritual subjects, in reading, and in ejaculatory prayer. 
Was enabled to-day, in some measure, to be faithful to God, 
though at the risk of losing the favour of man. Lord, make me 
more faithful. Have lately enjoyed more power to feed upon 
the promises ; they are very sweet, and my faith in them rather 
increases. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 107 

24. A day of great indisposition of body, and much faint- 

ness in my spirit. None living have a greater call than I have 
to improve the moments of health allowed me ; for when sick I 
seem quite laid aside. O my God, give me power, and grace to 
use that power, to live much in the time of health. But I would 
fain live alike to thee in sickness, as when in health. I find it 
more easy to do than to suffer the will of God. In all things 
let thy will take place in me. subdue all things in me to thy- 
self. Let me delight myself in thee, and to thee commit all my 
ways. 

25. The Lord has in mercy raised me up again. that 

I may be more than ever devoted to my God. A degree of lan- 
guor through the day overspread my soul, yet I felt more of the 
spirit of devotion, more desire to call on God, and a greater 
relish for spiritual things. In this I differ from many others, for 
most people speak as if they were most serious when most 
afflicted ; but, on the contrary, I feel most alive to God when I 
enjoy the largest measure of health. 

March 7. For some time, I have enjoyed a more intimate 
intercourse and deeper acquaintance with Jesus. Attempting 
frequently to make a full surrender of my heart to him, has 
proved a most delightful exercise ; and he has, on every such 
attempt, felt just at hand, and willing to receive it. This has 
been attended with a present reward. But while engaged in 
this delightful exercise to-day, Satan tempted me in an uncom- 
mon manner ; yet that is no reason why I should desist. Out- 
ward trials are rather fewer than usual, and those which remain 
I am enabled to give up to God. 

17. I feel much discouraged with the remains of a body of 

sin and death, with the sins of my family, and of the place where 
I live. On all these accounts, my hands are hanging down. In- 
deed most things seem to wear a gloomy aspect. As a nation, 
there are wars and rumours of wars : — as a church, we are torn 
by factions, parties, prejudices, and diversities of opinions among 
those of us who are in any degree serious ; — others, and, alas ! 
the greater part, care for none of these things, but are at ease in 
Zion ; — as individuals, much carnality, worldly mindedness, and 
insensibility prevail. Will not the Lord be avenged on such a 
nation as this 1 What reason have we to fear that the gospel will 
be taken from us, and sent to a people more deserving of it ? O 
Lord, in the midst of deserved wrath remember mercy ! 

19. (Sunday.) This morning the Lord turned my capti- 
vity. I had no remarkable joy, but a heavenly sweetness diffused 
through my mind, and all uneasy solicitude was fled. Yet it 
seemed a different enjoyment from what I experienced last week. 
Jesus then appeared clear to the eye of my faith, as much so as 
any material object could do to the eye of the body ; but now I 
have no such particular view. It was a sweet peace in general, 



108 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

with an increase of spiritual life. This continued all the after- 
noon, especially till I went to the table of the Lord. Satan often 
attempted to disturb it, but was not permitted; though he had 
laid a snare for me of which I was not aware. I fear I did not 
altogether escape, but I cried to the Lord, and appealed to him 
that what I had done was in the integrity of my heart, and he 
had mercy on me. There is danger on every hand. I had 
many petitions to offer up to the Lord at his table, and I do hope 
they were registered above, and will be answered. Immediately 
after communicating, I felt a decrease of spiritual enjoyment, 
and my indisposition of body returned : but still I enjoyed, 
through tho whole of the day, a measure of what I received in 
the morning. 

April 7. Since my last I have experienced many trials and 
many changes. Sometimes flushed with hopes of speedy deli- 
verance, and then I went on comfortably : at other times I have 
sunk down under discouragements, fearing I should have to con- 
tinue long struggling with my enemies ; this never fails to 
weaken my hands. My health has been very precarious, and 
this also has tended to depress me. All must enter the kingdom 
through much tribulation : it is a piece of necessary discipline ; 
it helps to humble, and to keep humble, our naturally proud hearts. 
Even Jesus learned obedience by the things which he suffered : 
shall I then complain ? Lord, I do not, neither dare I ask any 
exemption from suffering ; but I may entreat for power to be able 
to glorify thee in the fires. O hear me in this thing, then shall 
I patiently submit to all thy righteous will. Yet, in the midst 
of trials, I am not left comfortless ; the Lord still blesses me with 
refreshing seasons ; but nothing short of continual communion 
With God, and all that freedom from sin which Christ has pur- 
chased, can satisfy me. All this the Lord has promised, and I 
must and will believe his word. 

14. The Lord has given me a little reviving in my 

bondage. His mercy endureth for ever : he will not always 
chide ; neither will he keep his anger for ever ; he knows the 
spirit would fail before him, and the soul which he hath made. 
He is my chief good, the constant enjoyment which I desire : — 
yet, amazing, how slow my progress in the pursuit of this eternal, 
supreme Good. Lord, do I not love thee above all 1 

" Is there a thing beneath the sun, 

That strives with thee my heart to share? 
Ah, tear it thenee, and reign alone, 
The Lord of every motion there ; 
Then shall my heart from earth be free, 
When it has found repose in thee." 

My God has condescended wonderfully to comfort my distressed 
heart ; to strengthen my faith in the promises, and my trust in 
his mercy and love ; both are increased, O may they continue. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 109 

By the cruel force of my spiritual adversaries ; by the variety 
and continuance of outward trials ; and by united and severe in- 
ward conflicts, I was indeed brought very low, and was driven 
to extremity. I listened too much to the enemy ; looked too 
much at the temptations ; and gave too much heed to carnal rea- 
soning : all of which only tended to increase my distress. But 
my God had mercy on me ; rebuked the enemy, and also gently 
reproved me. O Lord, I acknowledge the justice of the charge, 
and grieve for it. Do thou give me patience ; for that, as well 
as every good gift, cometh from thee. O bestow it largely upon 
me ; that, in the midst of sufferings, I may glorify thee. Having 
tasted that thou art good, how can I live at this painful distance 1 — 
my heart so cold, my faith so weak, my love so languid. O 
teach me, thou divine Teacher, the blessed art of every moment 
panting after full communion with thee ; and yet without impa- 
tience, never murmuring at thy stay, nor wishing my sufferings 
less. 

16. (Sunday) Had many opportunities to wait on the 

Lord in public, and did it with composure until the evening ; but 
then the enemy endeavoured to distress me. I am, I believe, 
much too prone to judge of my state by my frames and feelings ; 
and thereby, at times, draw false conclusions. I believe, would 
we ascertain the reality of our conversion, no inward feelings 
should in general be exclusively depended on : to these should 
be added decisive evidence in our outward conduct. Unques- 
tionably the witness of God's Spirit with our spirit, as mentioned 
in Rom. viii, 1G, is more satisfactory than any other single evi- 
dence ; this I have : — but, to prevent mistake in such a mo- 
mentous affair, it is also necessary that we have the outward 
fruit of the self-same Spirit. These together, if properly at- 
tended to, will ascertain clearly what state we are in. Lord, 
thou hast my heart, take it more fully : let it only beat for thee. 
O unfold more of thy saving beauty to my mind : — break with full 
blaze on my enraptured soul. 

21. My God has remarkably appeared in my behalf, as 

it respects my charity school, about which I was in danger of 
being plunged into difficulties. From continued bad health, the 
teacher had given it up. I had no prospect of another, far less 
of one like-minded ; and from this and other circumstances, I 
almost feared that I should be obliged to relinquish my benevo- 
lent plan. After repeated applications to the Lord, by myself 
and others, he enabled me to believe that the school would be 
provided for, and that lie would be my guide, director, coun- 
sellor, my God, and my all. I was satisfied, though I had no 
particular person in view, only I strongly hoped that he would 
incline the heart of the present teacher to remain : accordingly, 
in a few days, he came and told me he could not think of going 
away, and had therefore refused a place of more profit and less 



110 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

fatigue. Surely this was of God. The good man said there 
seemed to be something very remarkable in it, for after he had 
fully determined to leave the school, his mind suddenly changed, 
and he felt as if almost obliged to relinquish his determination. 
The Lord also appears to be opening a way for my assistance, 
with regard to the expense attending the school, which has 
greatly increased ; and, in present circumstances, would be more 
than 1 could well afford. Surely he doth all things well. that 
I could trust him more. 

May 5. Since my last date, the Lord has dealt bountifully with 
me. My time has been unusually devoted to the temporal, but 
much more to the spiritual benefit of others, and it has indeed 
been a precious season to myself in various ways. O to be 
enabled to improve to the uttermost all my mercies ! My God, 
teach me this divine art, and let me not, as I have hitherto too 
often done, prove unfruitful. I feel at a loss where to begin to 
enumerate the mercies of the Lord, manifested to me within 
these few days. When conversing with others upon the things 
of God, especially with those who were just setting out in reli- 
gious life, my soul has been greatly blessed, my communion with 
God increased, my views of eternal things made very clear by 
faith, and particularly of God the Father and God the Son. O 
how sweetly has my Jesus manifested his presence, and fixed 
my soul steadily on himself. O that I may never forget it, and 
that these delightful visits from on high may prove more than 
ever of a transforming nature. My God has given me fresh in- 
stances of his faithfulness, which have evidently borne the stamp 
divine. To him be all the glory. The Lord hath also refreshed 
me much, strengthened my hands, and comforted my heart, by 
giving me to know that what I have said and written to others 
has not been in vain. i\.mazing goodness ! How wonderful are 
his ways ! How great his condescension ! Lord, what shall I 
render unto thee ! He can and does choose what instruments he 
pleases : — even rams' horns, if the Almighty fiat go forth, shall 
prove sufficient to demolish the walls of Jericho. that he 
would abundantly increase my usefulness in this respect, for he 
hath set my heart upon glorifying him in this way ! I have en- 
joyed more power and sweetness in secret and family prayer 
than usual, and have been enabled in a degree to live by faith. 
The Lord has also inclined others to assist me in my labours of 
love. 

" O for a heart to praise my God." 

These are but a few of his mercies to a poor worm : but how 
defective have been my returns : — how many have been my fail- 
ings : — how continued my shortcomings : — how numerous my 
offences ! O my God, be not strict to mark mine iniquities ! 
19. Conversing with a very particular friend on the 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. Ill 

work of grace in the soul, and of the cause of God in general, 
Jesus drew very nigh, and diffused a heavenly serenity over all 
my soul. How inexplicably does faith realize spiritual objects. 
The bodily eye does not perceive with greater clearness a 
material object, placed full in its view, than the visive faculty of 
the mind, enlightened from on high, does unseen things. Surely, 
my Lord, it is heaven when thou art nigh ; and what is hell, but 
thy total absence 1 permit me every moment to feel the 
powerful attraction of thy love, and let it prove of a strongly 
assimilating nature. I was indeed made to sit in heavenly 
places this evening ; it was also a time of refreshing to my 
Christian friend. While I now write, the Father of mercies is 
watering the parched ground with fruitful showers : should I 
live to see to-morrow's sun shine in his brightness, I shall be 
able to perceive a growth in the plants and flowers that adorn 
my little garden : why, then, do I not perceive a similar increase 
in the garden of my soul, so often watered as it is with heart- 
reviving showers of grace. My God, show me, if there be any 
worm at the core, or any little foxes which hinder the growth 
of the tender vine of grace. If there be, with a hand graciously 
severe, tear them hence, though all my nature should keenly 
feel the stroke. The Lord has made outward things of late take 
such a turn as has a tendency to increase my inward peace ; 
to strengthen my faith in his promises ; and to increase my trust 
in his goodness and mercy. He has inclined the heart of a 
particular female friend to throw her mite with mine into the 
treasury of heaven : I mean, to unite with me in bearing half of 
the expense of my little charity school. We have now upward 
of thirty young ones, who are not only taught reading, writing, 
arithmetic, &c, &c, but are also trained up in the fear of God ; 
every method being taken to lead them to the saving knowledge 
of him and his Son Jesus Christ. He hath in mercy hitherto 
countenanced this attempt, and has of late given me greater 
cause than ever to believe he will bless it more and more. O 
my God, do thou richly recompense with thy heavenly grace the 
souls of thy handmaids, whose hearts thou hast inclined to devote 
their substance to thee ; and do thou enlarge our borders, and 
enable us to go on with increasing zeal in every good word and 
work.* 

June 9. I cannot, as 1 would, express all the goodness the 
Lord has made to pass before me for some weeks. It has been 
a time of suffering and enjoyment. I have experienced much of 
my own weakness and helplessness, and also much of the power 
and malice of my spiritual enemies ; but my time of extremity 
was the Lord's opportunity, and he manifested his goodness to 
my soul. Especially on Sunday last, when, almost pressed out 

* The friend alluded to in this extract is LaJy Henrietta Hope. 



112 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

of measure with outward and unexpected trials, a storm had 
nearly arisen within. I was greatly agitated with fear, lest I 
should lose what the Lord had wrought for me. I was also 
grieved to find the strength of my own will. I cried to the Lord, 
and he, in great mercy, quickly and literally answered my prayer. 
He restored tranquillity to my soul, and gave ine that degree of 
sweet fellowship with himself I had before the trial. Imme- 
diately after, my heart felt so melted down with a sense of my 
own un worthiness, and his goodness, as I cannot express. I have, 
upon the whole, enjoyed rather more communion with my God 
for some time past than usual. When I spend time with others 
for his sake, he is peculiarly gracious, and sweetly manifests his 
presence. My perception of divine objects is very clear ; my 
peace is made to flow as a river ; while God, with full and cloud- 
less demonstration, conveys his promised grace to my soul. O 
Lord, I would record these instances of thy goodness, that I may 
not forget any of thy benefits, and that my trust for future mer- 
cies may be strengthened ; but, above all, that thy name may be 
glorified. 

July 1. The power of temptation has been painful for some 
time. I have been almost ready to conclude that I was receding, 
instead of advancing. I felt as if stripped of all, excepting a 
small grain of faith. By the light of this, I discovered I was 
justified, but I enjoyed little of the comfort of it. I have indeed 
been made sensible that all I enjoy I hold of God. I found I 
could not possess one desire after him, his ways, or his people, 
unless he bestowed it. 1 have experienced but little fervour in 
prayer, and apparently small profit from the public means of 
grace. I am also at a loss how to account for this uncomfort- 
able state. Is it, O my God, a punishment from thee for my 
unfaithfulness ; or is it a sinking deeper into self-knowledge 1 
Lord, thou knowest ; cause me to know it : I dread the former ; 
O to be delivered from it. I believe I had also given way to 
a degree of carnal reasoning. How many are my foes, — when 
shall I obtain victory 1 To-day, I am beginning to emerge out 
of this sea of temptation. O my God, set my feet upon a rock, 
and order my goings. 

11. Upon the whole, a good day. Found Christ precious 

and near, when strengthening the hands of a distressed disciple ; 
also, in a measure, when employed in prayer, praise, and Chris- 
tian conversation. In the evening, spent much time with a 
female in conversing with her on the salvation of her soul. O 
how did I wish for the gift of convincing speech. What comfort 
would it have given me, could I have solidly confuted all her 
objections, and reached her heart with self-evident demonstration. 
But this power belongeth unto God ; yet I know he can bless, 
and make effectual the weakest words. O that he may do this 
in the present case. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 113 

August 2. I have gone through much distress for some days. 
I trust the Lord is deepening his work in my soul ; I hope the 
time is at hand when he will bring me into the wealthy place ; 
it is indeed, and has been, through fire and water. My foes are 
now very bitter against me : Satan rages mightily. O that his 
time may be short. I am not permitted to entertain one doubt 
of my interest in Christ ; yea, I feel my soul every moment 
united to him ; yet so great is the power of temptation, that Sa- 
tan makes even God a terror to me, and I am afraid of his judg- 
ments. I have dreaded lest the enemy should drive me away 
from God. He does drive me from a throne of grace, at least 
often attempts, and makes me feel a terror while at it. My 
anguish of spirit is so great, my unreasonable fears so strong, I 
can listen to nothing that is comfortable. I am astonished with 
amazement, my natural spirits are like to fail. How long, Lord, 
shall my enemies triumph over me ? My flesh is wasted off my 
bones, and my spirits are drunk up ! Lord, cut short thy work. 
Yet, in the midst of all my distress, I feel eager to grasp at any 
opportunity to glorify God, by doing good to the souls or bodies 
of my fellow creatures. O my God, come to my help, deliver 
my poor soul, and I will praise thee ! 

26. Through mercy, my views of Jesus as my Beloved 

have been clear this last week. As I have rode or walked by 
the way, my meditations of him have been sweet. O how 
amazing, then, those unreasonable fears with which I have been 
so painfully harassed. Surely they must be the result of strong 
temptation : or art thou, O my God, in this way carrying on thy 
work in my soul 1 I do indeed feel stripped of all self-depend- 
ence, at least more than usual. I see and feel that I am nothing, 
yea, worse than nothing. I feel as if afraid of God, and am ter- 
rified by his judgments. This must certainly, in some measure, 
be owing to that contrariety to a holy God that is still to be 
found in me. Is it not a degree of that fear which has torment % 
and which keeps me from delighting in God as I might. A 
thousand nameless fears often surround me, and Satan for some 
moments will suggest unworthy thoughts of God, when yet I 
know he is my God. This drinks up my spirits, and prevents, 
at least for the time, all the warm desires of my soul after him. 
I then fear death, I fear pain, I fear distress of various kinds ; I 
fear — alas, what fear I not, when thus forcibly driven from the 
centre of all true rest and joy ! It is indeed wormwood and gall. 
O when will it end ! Where, Lord, are the great things which 
thou hast promised : — that entire sanctification ; that constant 
communion with thyself, which thy promises hold out as the pri- 
vileges of thy people 1 Surely these promises cannot fail. Is 
this, Lord, the way in which I must be led to the accomplish- 
ment of them 1 If so, I would fain say, " Thy will be done." 
But, ! it is a thorny path, a rugged road ; it tries every grain 



114 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

of grace which thou hast given. Yet I long to glorify God. I 
see emptiness written on all created good : every thing is insipid 
that does not lead to him. 

October 25. After travelling upward of five hundred miles 
for the benefit of my health, the Lord has again brought me 
to my habitation in peace. He is a faithful God, and has given 
me much cause to speak good of his name. He preserved 
man and beast by the way ; yea, wonderfully preserved us, 
when exposed to imminent danger, and when others were cut 
off" by the same danger and at the same time. How great is 
his goodness ! — He also gave me many opportunities to attempt, 
in various ways, to lead sinners to the knowledge of himself; 
and in this delightful, important work, he afforded me great 
encouragement. O my God, bless these feeble attempts, and 
then they shall not be in vain. My God gave me also to taste 
of his love, at different places of worship on the road ; in secret 
and social prayer, and in frequent conversation with his people. 
Lord, thou art good, though I am unworthy. This week past, 
since I came home, the Lord has increased my love to him- 
self, my comfort and liberty in secret prayer ; and has given 
me to feel Christ unspeakably precious, altogether lovely. My 
heart has gone out much after him ; my faith has been strong 
in him ; and my views clear of him : at the same time, I had 
a pungent sense of my unworthiness, unfruitfulness, and want 
of gratitude. This would have greatly depressed me, if the 
Lord had not been so gracious ; but he drew my heart to him- 
self, abstracted it from created objects, and made me partake 
of a supreme good. 

31. This evening, under a sermon on Abraham's offer- 
ing up Isaac, Jesus drew nigh, and powerfully manifested his 
presence by faith. Satan attempted to reason me out of this, 
by endeavouring to persuade me to impute it to a feverish 
imagination, but he did not prevail. What an enemy is he to 
the comforts of faith, — to simple believing ! When the soul 
gives way in any measure to his subtle arts, it is amazing how 
soon it darkens the mind, and. obscures the brightest manifesta- 
tions of divine love. Lord, ever give me that strength of faith 
which will bring cloudless demonstration that it comes from 
above, and may it at all times work by love. Felt often to- 
day strongly tempted to evil tempers, and am not certain that 
I entirely escaped unhurt. O my God, give me light to discern 
between temptation and sin. It is only in thy light that we can, 
in certain cases, distinguish the one from the other. My heart 
is still pained with a want of greater conformity to my Jesus. 
I long for his image to be wholly impressed on my soul. O 
how little do I know of God, or myself. How small a degree 
of his love do I possess ! I pine from day to day for more, 
but still do not attain. I long for secret prayer, yet often. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 115 

when alone, I do not feel power to wrestle for the blessing. I 
may say with the poet, 

" Scarce I begin my sad complaint, 
When all my warmest wishes fainl ; 
Hardly I lift my weeping eye, 
When all my kindling ardours die ; 
Nor hopes nor fears my bosom move, 
For still I cannot, cannot love." 

November 13. {Monday after the town sacrament.) I would 
record the loving kindness of my God to me on all the days of 
this solemn ordinance. On Saturday he gave me much time 
alone in the forenoon, with -some comfort. In the afternoon 
he carried me to his house of prayer, and it was a time of 
great refreshing from his presence. The subject was a delight- 
ful one : " How Christ communicates his love to the believing 
soul." ' Though the manner and some of the expressions of the 
speaker were exceptionable, I was raised above it, and enjoyed 
sweet communion with God the Father, and God the Son. I 
had no remarkable joy, no rapturous ecstatic enjoyment ; but 
a calm and serene possession of that peace which passeth un- 
derstanding ; a degree of a silent heaven of love, better felt 
than expressed. I saw God by faith, and had a distinct view 
of Jesus as the secund person of the ever blessed Trinity, and 
enjoyed delightful union with him. From this source alone all 
my blesings, all my spiritual enjoyments flow. I have generally 
a peculiarly sweet consciousness of this important fact, which 
answers two valuable purposes ; it makes Jesus unspeakably 
precious to me, and tends to keep me humble — to wean me 
from self-righteousness, with its constant attendant, self-confi- 
dence. At seven in the evening heard a sermon in the chapel, 
on " Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith." Here 
also the Lord shone on his work in my soul, and my evidences 
were clear and satisfactory. Yet I have felt of late tempted 
not to write or speak of the goodness of the Lord, lest I should 
be in a mistake ; because I do not feel as if these manifestations 
brought with them a proportionate degree of holiness. O Lord, 
if this is from Satan, give me victory over it ; if from thee, 
make me certain of it ; and let me be able to act as thou 
wouldst have me : thou knowest I would not impose a thing 
of naught upon myself, neither would I deceive others. At 
night I endeavoured solemnly to renew my covenant with God, 
and then went to rest as if in the arms of divine love. 

14. The Lord heard my prayer, gave me a measure 

of health, and enabled me to wait upon him in the ordinance 
of the supper. Again he allowed me to enjoy communion with 
himself and with his dear Son. Not much joy, but in a measure 
the accomplishment of Christ's gracious promise, John xiv, 23. 



116 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

In myself I felt very empty, but looking to Christ by faith, he 
showed where all fulness dwelt, and all for me. O the un- 
searchable riches of Christ ! 

15. The last day of the feast, and I know not but the 

greatest. Here, also, the Lord disappointed my fears, raised 
me up this morning in a measure of health, and again brought 
me to his house. We had a most excellent sermon from, " The 
joy of the Lord is your strength." I not only heard with com- 
posure, but truly the Lord was with me. I felt a holy fear of 
sin arise in my heart, and a dread lest I should lose what I en- 
joyed. On coming home, my heart was warmed with deep im- 
pressions of divine love. O that they may prove permanent, 
and of a more transforming nature than formerly. O that I may 
be enabled more than ever to glorify God, and adorn his gospel. 

29. Since Saturday last I have enjoyed a sensible in- 
crease of faith, love, joy, and peace. Jesus has so surrounded 
me with his presence as words fail me to express. I have been 
enabled to believe in him much more than usual, with a strong 
lively faith. I have had fuller enjoyment of him, and cleaved 
more steadily to him, morning, noon, and night. When I awake 
in the night he is with me ; and in the morning, when I look up, 
I am still with him. I cannot clothe in words what I have 
enjoyed in Christ for some time : he is unspeakably precious ! O 
that blessed name, it scatters my fears, it warms and enlivens 
my hopes. I do love my Jesus a little, and ardently long to love 
him more. O, to be filled with this divine principle. Lord, thou 
knowest I cannot be satisfied till I awake up after thy likeness. 

Dec. 8. The Lord has dealt bountifully with me since last 
date. He has lately given me to see that I possess more than I 
am always sensible of, and I may add, grateful for. He has 
also showed me that I suffer loss, at least Ih enjoyment, by not 
attending more constantly to what he has already done for me, 
and by dwelling too exclusively upon what I have not yet 
attained. When the Lord teaches, it is in a convincing manner : 
I felt the truth and importance of these sacred lessons. Yet, O 
Lord, make me more pure in heart, that I may continually see 
thee without one intervening cloud. I have already far more 
than I deserve ; but when I consider the atoning blood of Jesus 
Christ, and see the infinite value of it, I know it is sufficient to 
purchase every blessing heaven can bestow. The atonement of 
Jesus is my only plea ; and, therefore, I can set no bounds to my 
desires. Blessed Jesus, let thy love, like a strong cord, bind 
my wandering soul to thee. O let me every moment dwell in 
thy wounds, be held in thy heart, and lean on thy bosom. O 
cause me to bear thy image, and shine in thy borrowed rays ; 
destroy sin, fill with thyself, and shine unto the perfect day. 

26. My God has been unspeakably gracious to me these 

last two weeks. Thursday last, in the night, after a day of in- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 117 

disposition, God the Father and God the Son drew very nigh, 
and sweetly manifested their presence by faith ; just when I was 
bemoaning my want of power to pray, being oppressed with pain. 

I cannot easily express what I felt, but my communion with 
Father and Son was deep and sweet. O for a grateful heart. 
This spring tide of spiritual enjoyment continued all next day, 
both when with others and when alone. Heaven seemed let 
down to earth. Yesterday, though afflicted with pain and sick- 
ness, I enjoyed almost uninterrupted communion with God, 
wherever I was, or however employed. O how faithful is my 
God. He has given many exceeding great and precious pro- 
mises, and he is now beginning to accomplish them ; after my 
long waiting, long praying, long expecting, and after my many 
disappointments, and trials, and conflicts. Lord, what shall I 
render unto thee. My God has indeed done great things for me 
since November last. I do not know what to say of it, only my 
communion with himself is, since that time, deeper and more 
constant ; my views of Jesus more lively ; my power to confess 
him before the world greater ; and my soul in general more con- 
firmed. I have more comfort in secret prayer, and my medita- 
tions on God and his dear Son are more delightfully sweet. 
Ejaculatory prayer is the constant food of my soul, and every 
moment my God is at my right hand. The above, as far as I 
know, is the state of my soul at present, and has been for weeks 
past ; but, Lord, let the witness of thy blessed Spirit clearly 
ascertain to me what thou hast done for me, that I may give all 
the glory to thee, and take all the comfort thou intendest ] 
should. 

29. This day my peace has flowed as a deep, running, 

and silent river. I have been enabled, through mercy, conti- 
nually to realize the presence of God, which brought a sweet 
solemnity upon my spirit ; and the constant cry of my heart has 
been, O Lord, confirm and establish my soul. I had last night 
an extraordinary dream.* I place no sort of confidence in 

* "Mrs. Carter," says the poet Cowper, in a letter to Lady Hesketh, 

II thinks on the subject of dreams as every body else does, that is to say, 
according to her own experience. She has had no extraordinary ones, and, 
therefore, accounts them only the ordinary operations of her fancy. Mine 
are of a texture that will not suffer me to ascribe them to so inadequate a 
cause, or to any cause but the operation of an exterior agency. I have a 
mind, my dear, (and to you I will venture to boast of it,) as free from su- 
perstition as any man living ; neither do I give heed to dreams in general as 
predictive, though particular dreams I believe to be so. Some very sensible 
persons, and, I suppose, Mrs. Carter among them, will acknowledge that 
in old times God spake by dreams ; but affirm, with much boldness, that he 
hath since ceased to do so. If you ask them why, they answer, because 
he has revealed his will in the Scripture, and there is no longer any need 
that he should instruct or admonish us by dreams. I grant that, with respect 
to doctrines and precepts, he hath left us in want of nothing ; but has he 
thereby precluded himself in any of the operations of his providence? 



118 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

dreams, but consider them in general as the wanderings of the 
imagination, ungoverned by reason ; yet this dream seems 
somewhat remarkable. During sleep, I supposed myself in a 
delightful garden, meditating on divine things, and asking of the 
Lord to confirm my soul in the blessings he had bestowed, and 
that he would give me an evidence by which I might conclude on 
the certainty of his having accomplished in me his gracious pro- 
mises. On looking up to the heavens the sky appeared remark- 
ably clear and serene. Immediately there was seen in the 
firmament a ball of fire about the size of the full moon : from 
hence was emitted a stream of liquid flame, which darted down 
on me with a peculiar radiance. This, I was given to under- 
stand, was the influence of the Holy Spirit, the operations of 
which were so powerful upon my soul that they sensibly affected 
my body ; and I stood in amazement at the power and goodness 
of my God. This representation, during sleep, might no doubt 
be occasioned by my prayers and meditations having run much 
on the same subjects before I went to rest. I leave it with the 
Lord, and would only pray that I may feel the operations of his 
Spirit as powerful upon my soul when awake, as I supposed I 
did when asleep. 

30. To-day has been much as yesterday ; if any thing 

different, my soul is more confirmed in the belief of what the 
Lord hath done for me, though my sensible comfort has not been 
quite so great. A divine calm has overspread my soul, and a 
secret testimony in my heart seems to say that the Lord has in a 
small measure accomplished in me his promises. But this must 
be much stronger, and the fruit of the Spirit much more abun- 
dant, before I can be satisfied. In the evening I heard a ser- 
mon from, " Said I not unto thee, if thou wouldst believe thou 
shouldst see the glory of God." The text forcibly struck me, 
and the whole sermon proved solid and substantial food to my 
soul. 

31. A day in which my God made more of his good 

ness to pass before me than I am able to convey a proper idea 
of, either by speaking or writing. It is better felt than expressed. 
I enjoyed a stronger sense than ever of the witness of God's 
Spirit. While in the church, Jesus appeared clear to the eye 
of faith, as the King in his beauty ; and God the Father seemed 
to bind my heart to himself in a degree I had not formerly expe- 

Surely not. It is perfectly a different consideration ; and the same need 
there was of his interference in this way, there is still, and ever must be, 
while man continues blind and fallible, and a creature beset with dangers 
which he can neither foresee nor obviate. His operations, however, of 
this kind are, I allow, very rare." — Haley's Life of Cowper, 2d edit., 4to, 
vol. i, p. 239. 

For an able disquisition on the interesting phenomena of dreaming, the 
reader is referred to Professor Stewart's Elements of the Philosophy of 
the Human Mind, part i, chap, v, § 5. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 119 

rienced, and in a manner I cannot express. I felt dwelling- in 
the secret place of the Most High. My mind was kept in per- 
fect peace, and sweetly solemnized with holy awe, because so 
surrounded with, and so immediately in, the presence of Jeho- 
vah. O my God, what shall I say unto thee 1 I am lost in 
wonder, love, and praise ! O confirm my soul ! O keep me hum- 
ble, and let the great deeps of redeeming love be more than ever 
broken up in my soul. 



CHAPTER XL— 1776. 

Diary continued. 

January 3. The last year ended on Sunday night ; which I en- 
deavoured to spend with God in prayer, and in recalling the bless- 
ings he had bestowed upon me in the course of it. I found 
abundant cause both for gratitude and humiliation. Many were 
the severe distresses, both of body and mind, under which he 
had supported me, and from which he had graciously delivered 
me. O how richly, how bountifully, has he dealt with my soul ! 
1 cannot express all his goodness since November last. He has 
been accomplishing the great and precious promises which relate 
to the prosperity of my soul ; and he will assuredly perfect what 
remaineth to be done. Lord, make me more grateful and more 
humble. Let not the foot of spiritual pride come against me. 
In the beginning of this year I most solemnly and cheerfully de- 
voted myself, with all I have, and am, or ever shall have, to the 
Lord. I trust this was done in his own strength, and in the 
name of his beloved Son : and I asked many favours which I 
hope he will not withhold. May I more than ever find him as a 
wall of fire around me, and the glory in the midst ; that I may 
be preserved from my foes. I am very weak, but O that I may 
be enabled to glorify him in soul, and body, and outward estate ; 
and so enjoy him that not one intervening cloud may ever ob- 
scure my path ; but light, unsullied light, always shine on me. 
" He that followeth me," says the Saviour, " shall not walk in 
darkness." 

15. I have had many precious visits from above lately, 

but I have also had many severe inward conflicts ; at times I felt 
as if in an agony, astonished and sore amazed. I was in hopes 
these severe trials were at an end, at least for a season, and that 
I should enjoy peace in all my borders ; but it appears I must 
still fight on. Lord, thou seest what need I have to be more 
than ever clothed with the divine armour. Let me not turn back 
in the day of battle, but grant me 

" A patient, a victorious rnind, 
That life and all things casts behind, 



120 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Springs forth obedient to thy call : 

A heart which no desire can move, 
But still t' adore, believe, and love ; 

Give me my Lord, my life, my all," 

What has, and does still add to my present uneasiness, is a de- 
gree of uncertainty respecting the true state of my soul. I dare 
not deny or call in question what the Lord has lately done for 
me, in reference to the blessing of entire devotion ; and yet, 
through the force of temptation, I cannot find that satisfactory 
evidence, from the witness and fruits of the Spirit, which I know 
to be the privilege of God's people : — not that I entertain any 
doubt of my acceptance in the Beloved ; but I want to be more 
clear, as it respects the grace of sanctification. Lord, stand by 
me in fierce temptation's hour, and make me faithful. Keep me 
from grieving thy Spirit ; and when this storm is past, may I ex- 
perience more deep and lasting communion with thee. 

16. My God has looked upon my distress, and rebuked 

the enemy. I now enjoy delightful fellowship with the Father 
and the Son ; — a holy serenity of mind — a divine tranquillity of 
soul. Forbid it, Lord, that I should ever sink from this : O let it 
continually increase. I have indeed been made deeply sensible, 
within these last few days, that I have nothing, and am nothing 
but what God makes me, and gives to me : I felt stripped of 
every thing but a power to confide, by naked faith, in the pro- 
mises of a faithful God. I fought and feared till I seemed to 
sink down into a degree of stupidity and indifference. This was 
very alarming to me, who but a few days before enjoyed com- 
munion with the Father of mercies. O what is man ! How un- 
stable ! — Was this great transition caused by sin ? or was it the 
effect of sore temptation, permitted and sent to try and prove me, 
and by that means to fix me in a more permanent possession of 
the blessings bestowed 1 Lord, give me to know this, if it be 
thy will : in thy light may I ever be able to distinguish between 
temptation and sin. O let me now walk more humbly with thee 
than ever : may I watch continually, and every moment prove 
that thou art love. 

" Love excludes the selfish passion, 
Love destroys the carnal mind, 
Love is here my full salvation, 
Love to thee and all mankind." 

O my God, fill me with this divine principle : permit me to 
launch far out into the depths of this unfathomable ocean, which 
neither knows bottom nor shore. 

26. Waked unwell in body, but, O, my God has been 

good to my soul. I have enjoyed sweet inward rest, a sinking 
into God. I have felt the gracious influences of his Spirit visit- 
ing my soul, and, I would fain hope, increasing the fruits of the 
Spirit in me. My heart seemed like a garden, laid open to the 



LIFE OF LADV MAXWELL. 121 

vivifying and meliorating beams of the sun. What the Lord has 
recently given, I find can only be retained by constantly living 
by faith, by constant watchfulness and constant prayer. Lord, 
keep me thus employed. But, after all, it is only thy almighty 
power that can preserve me ; these are only the means appointed 
by thee. my God, make me more grateful, more active in 
thy cause, and more passive to thy will. 

27. Still the tender mercies of my God triumph over all 

my unworthiness. This also has been a day of sweet resting in 
God. I cannot easily express what I have enjoyed. It was not 
a spring tide of sensible comfort and strong joy ; but an unutter- 
able sweet peace and solid communion with the Father and Son ; 
and this as much when with others as when alone. My views 
of Jesus, as the King in his beauty, have been so clear as I can- 
not clothe in language ; I have been enabled also to confess him 
before men, which is surely my great honour. O how shall I 
sufficiently praise my God and Saviour ! I felt it easy to-day to 
take up my cross. O the powerful influence of divine love in 
the religious life. O Lord, let all my powers be devotion, and 
all my passions love. 

February 8. In the course of these eight days I have had ma- 
nifestations of the goodness of my God ; felt a measure of rest- 
ing in him, and a hungering and thirsting after more communion 
with him, especially in the means of grace. I have felt such 
burning desires after a fuller possession of my beloved Lord as 
I cannot express, while, at the same time, he has felt very nigh 
unto me. I cannot sufficiently praise him, but he knows I de- 
sire not to breathe but for him ; and to live every moment to him. 
Yet still I have cause to lament that I have so little of the fruit 
of the Spirit. With vehement longings, I breathe after a great 
increase. I feel reason to grieve I am not more active for God, 
and more faithful. I have great encouragement to embrace 
every opportunity which occurs ; for my God condescends to 
bless my feeble attempts, both in writing and speaking to others. 
I still feel a conviction of what the Lord has lately done for me ; 
but, O, it is surely the smallest degree of the blessing of entire 
devotion which I experience. How far short is it of what I ex- 
pected. The Lord will increase it : but when I consider how 
sensible for months past he has made me of an increase of 
communion with himself; how constantly he has permitted me 
to see Jesus as the King in his beauty ; and to feel closer union 
with him, with other outward evidences, I can no longer doubt : 
all these combine to convince my naturally unbelieving and sus- 
picious heart, that the Lord has, in a measure, certainly done 
according to his promise. My business is to hold fast where- 
unto I have attained ; and, through grace, daily to increase. 
Lord, help me so to do. 

17. O mv God, words fail to express the sense 1 feel of 
6 



122 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

the goodness thou hast made to pass before me this day. In 
morning devotion, the Lord felt delightfully near, and drew 
me near to himself. While dressing, I found it good and comfort- 
able to meditate on what the Lord had done for me. All the 
forenoon I was a good deal hurried with outward things, but my 
mind was preserved in peace. Jesus was every moment nigh, 
more conspicuous to the eye of faith than ever. My communion 
with Father and Son was clear, distinct, and comfortable, in a 
degree which often amazed me, considering the many things that 
were continually occurring to draw or drive me from God. What 
I have enjoyed to-day has been infinitely more than I deserve, 
or am able to express. I believe I have had a measure of the 
witness of God's Spirit ; not only for justification, (this, through 
mercy, has been allowed me for years,) but, also, for the late in- 
crease of grace- Lord, continue and increase it, and make me 
humble, watchful, and diligent. 

20. Was rather hurried this morning, and yet composed 

at the same time. The surface of the soul is often agitated 
when there is solid happiness and peace at the bottom. In the 
afternoon and evening my soul was more comfortable, and the 
witness of the Spirit was still stronger for the last increase. At 
night was powerfully drawn to prayer with a Christian friend ; 
and, while engaged in it, I felt what I cannot describe ; such an 
amazing strength of faith as I had not before experienced. J 
seemed to have power with God and to prevail. It was as if 
by the eye of faith I had seen God on a throne of grace, bid- 
ding me ask what I would, with a promise that it should be given 
to me. O how I endeavoured to improve the opportunity by 
asking life, spiritual life, for those brought to my recollection, 
and they were numerous. The fervour of my spirit seemed too 
much for my body — it was a time never to be forgotten. Lord, 
grant me the petitions I offered up to thee, and accept of my 
grateful acknowledgments for thy rich goodness. 

21. I find myself often tempted to un watchfulness, and 

to an improper degree of cheerfulness ; I want to be more 
sweetly solemnized. In all things I want to walk in the most 
excellent way. I want a greater equality of temper and spirit. 
Sometimes I feel a disposition to silence, and I fear this is fre- 
quently mistaken : — sometimes I speak to others with at least 
the appearance of displeasure ; — sometimes, too quickly ; and — 
sometimes, I speak too much. I wish all these things done 
away, that in all things I may adorn the gospel. 

25. My God has been very good to me this day. 

Though much with others, and even in a crowd, he gave me 
sweet peace and holy liberty of soul. My fears were disap- 
pointed. I had power to realize the presence of the Lord by 
faith, and enjoyed holy composure of spirit. He gave me fre- 
quent opportunities for social prayer, which were comfortable. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 123 

Yet I generally perceive, upon examination afterward, how far 
I have come short. I then see how I might have glorified God 
more — that conversation might have been more profitable — that 
I should have been more deeply serious. Jesus, I fly to thy 
blood : O let me experience more of its virtue. Make me more 
holy, more thankful, more faithful, more humble. In the even- 
ing, when my visitants left me, O with what desire I got alone 
to converse with God, by prayer and meditation, and Jesus felt 
unspeakably precious. Truly I do love him, but I pant for 
power to love him more — to be lost in love — to know my every 
action, word, and thought spring from love. 

27. This day, also, my God has been good. Secret 

prayer was sweet, and my meditations on Jesus were delightful 
in going out and coming in, and my views of God clear. The 
Lord seemed in mercy to be confirming my soul in the grace 
bestowed ; but still I want stronger evidence, a larger measure 
of the fruit of the Spirit, and a clearer testimony of the witness 
within ; I hope my spiritual borders will be greatly enlarged. 
Jesus is peculiarly precious to me ; my heart finds sweet repose 
in him by faith. I see him now constantly as the King in his 
beauty : 

" Insatiate to the spring I fly, 
I drink, and yet am ever dry." 

Lord, shall I ever be fully satisfied on this side the grave ? O 
give me more of thyself — occupy all space in me — stamp thy 
lovely image more fully on me. 

March 10, Sunday. Was unwell in body, but felt drawn out 
to pray for the minister, and that I might obtain a blessing by 
him, and of a truth my God answered my prayer for his own 
name's sake. It was a season of refreshing from the presence 
of the Lord. He manifested himself to me in a wonderful man- 
ner. How precious did I feel Christ ! How gloriously he ap- 
peared to the eye of my faith ! I cannot express what I felt. 
I could scarcely refrain from speaking out. O my Jesus, what 
a vast unfathomable ocean of unexhausted love art thou ! What 
a heart-reviving prospect had I to-day of living for ever with 
Christ — a happy, an endless eternity. Amazing! Amazing! 

the depths of the riches of redeeming love ! In the evening 

1 went with enlarged expectation to the chapel, and there also 
the Lord was gracious to me. I enjoyed a divine composure, a 
heavenly serenity of soul, while my communion was with the 
Father and the Son. Truly God is good to Israel. 

13. The Lord in great mercy is enabling me, through 

the kind assistance of others, to supply the wants of his poor 
children more than ever. From particular causes, I have it not 
in my power to give so much of my own money as I could wish; 
and he inclines others to give me of their substance for the 



124 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

poor. He knows what a delightful employment this is to me. 
He knows how much he has inclined me to draw out my soul to 
the hungry, and to satisfy the afflicted soul ; and he thus grati- 
fies and fulfils the desires he has given. O that he may make 
me faithful and wise in the disposal of such treasure. 

26. Felt rather languid to-day, which distressed me. 

I dread losing what the Lord has bestowed, or sinking into a 
Laodicean spirit. I want to be every moment all life, all love, 
ever on the stretch for God ; pressing on continually. Give me, 
Lord, the desire of my heart. I need a more watchful spirit, a 
greater silence of spirit, a more constant attention to an indwell- 
ing God. These two days I have felt as if too outward: Lord, 
deepen thy work in my heart. O remember thy precious pro- 
mise, " that thy Spirit shall be in me as a well of water spring- 
ing up unto eternal life." At night found Christian conversa- 
tion and social prayer very delightful and profitable ; they diffused 
a heavenly sensation through my soul. But I cannot rest here. 
O, my God, draw my heart more closely to thyself, and possess 
my whole soul. 

April 10. Spent much time in the forenoon with a Christian 
friend, and found it truly sweet to speak of Jesus, that delight- 
ful source of all my sacred joy. Just after united, for some 
time, in social prayer with the same person, when I enjoyed a 
season not to be forgotten ; heaven seemed let down to earth. 
The sight of heavenly objects was so clear to the eye of my mind 
that faith seemed lost in sight. Jesus was more intimately nigh 
than I can possibly express ; and, while I wrestled in prayer for 
blessings to my own soul and others, bodily strength seemed to 
fail through the ardour of my spirit. I even lamented the 
weakness of my body, which would not admit of my spending 
the whole night in prayer. When I got alone, immediately after 
I went again to a throne of grace, and felt much the same. O 
for gratitude, and more power to improve these precious seasons. 
But, in the midst of my happiness, Satan was at hand, attempt- 
ing to mix my wine with water, by suggesting, " surely some 
dreadful trial is at hand, and your joy then will soon be at an 
end." I had so often experienced this to be the case formerly 
that I did fear it. 

22. Through mercy this has been a good day ; I was 

carried above all I both feared and felt while hearing a sermon 
from, " All are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." 
I cannot express what a precious time I had. On coming out of 
the church, I desired to be dissolved and to be with Christ. I 
could with ease have bid a final adieu to all below. Immediate- 
ly after, enjoyed much Christian conversation. In the after- 
noon, had a call to speak for God which I felt a cross but took 
it up, and truly it was made a season of love. The Lord Jesus 
drew very near as the altogether lovely. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 125 

" How sweet and awful is the place, 
With Christ within the doors ; 
While everlasting love displays 
The choicest of her stores." 

24. I have been mercifully favoured with many opportu- 
nities of profiting abroad and at home. Spent much time in 
visiting the sick, and found it good to be so employed. My 
soul was animated and elevated while speaking of the things of 
God. I felt that if I had a thousand hearts I would have given 
them all to him : that if I had been empress of the world, I would 
have esteemed it my highest honour and richest privilege to 
have devoted all to God. This spirit and temper prevailed 
powerfully in my heart, when I was informed a certain person 
had said, " Had they been Lady Maxwell, they could not have 
given their hearts so soon to God." Out of the abundance of 
my heart my mouth spake, " O my God, it is owing to thy free, 
rich, and overflowing grace, that ever I was inclined, or enabled, 
in any measure, to give my heart to thee." O possess it whole, 
and let it evermore glow with love to thee ; may even my face 
shine with thy image. Make me steady ; fixed upon the rock 
of ages. May I prove invincible to all the power and malice of 
my enemies ; and to Thee undivided glory shall be ascribed. 

May 15. I have been for some time very unwell in body, but 
the Lord has been very gracious to my soul. For several days 
I have been attempting to know the will of God concerning my 
leaving Edinburgh, for some weeks, for the benefit of my health. 
While meditating and praying on this subject, the following 
Scriptures were brought to my recollection with remarkable 
power and sweetness : " And the children of Israel took their 
journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai ; and the cloud rested in 
the wilderness of Paran. And they first took their journey 
according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of 
Moses."* — " Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in 
the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared."! 
Precious words ! Alas, " Arid I will bring the blind by a way 
which they knew not ; I will lead them in paths that they have 
not known ; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked 
things straight. These things will I do to them, and not forsake 
them. "| From the intimations of divine Providence also, I 
rest satisfied that it is the Lord's will I should go, and I leave 
the issue of it with God. 

May 24. Left Edinburgh, and went to Blacksheils. What a 
precious time ! My God was unto me as a place of broad rivers 
the whole of the way. My communion with him and his dear 
Son was unspeakably delightful. Embraced the opportunities 
that offered for the spiritual good of others. This, I always 
find, brings an additional degree of strength to my soul. 

* Numbers x, 12, 13. f Exodus xxiii. 20. X Isaiah xlii, 16. 



126 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

25. Set out this morning for Lauder, and dined there. 

Distressing things happened on the road, but my mind was 
preserved in peace. At this place enjoyed much sweetness in 
social prayer and Christian conversation. In the evening came 
to Kelso, much fatigued. Had much profitable conversation by 
the way, and felt power to realize the presence of God, and had 
comfort in prayer, secret and social. 

26. {Kelso, Sunday.) Confined to bed all day with 

indisposition, and unable to fix my mind on divine subjects ; but 
yet my God was with me. In the afternoon the Lord drew near, 
lessened my affliction, and increased my comfort. 

27. Left Kelso, after attempting to do some good, and 

dined at a half-w r ay house. Found it profitable to speak of the 
works of God by the way. My communion was sensibly with 
the Father and Son. Disagreeable accidents again occurred, 
but we were preserved, man and beast, and all fear respecting 
myself was prevented. How good is God ! In the evening 
reached Wooller. Found it very comfortable by the way in 
meditation, conversation, and in attempting to do good to some 
we met with on the road. On coming to this place, having a 
clergyman with us, we went to the dissenting meeting house, 
where he gave us a good sermon. I cannot express how pre- 
cious Jesus was to my soul ! how clear to the eye of my faith ! 
It was a time to be remembered. Quickly after, Satan was 
permitted to sift me with his temptations and fiery darts : but all 
is well when God is there. 

28. Left Wooller this morning. At Moor-house the 

Lord made much of his goodness pass before me, especially in 
social prayer. Language fails to express what was enjoyed by 
myself and those who united with me. Many opportunities were 
embraced by myself and fellow travellers to do good in various 
ways ; not, I hope, in vain. O for a heart to praise my God, 
and to remember and improve his goodness ! In the evening 
reached Morpeth, under a sweet gale of heavenly influences. 
My heart burned within me while I spoke of the heights and 
depths of divine love : such an inexpressible sweetness diffused 
itself through my soul that I cannot convey an adequate idea of 
it to another. God the Father seemed as a pillar of cloud, 
shining bright by the way ; and Jesus felt as if surrounding me 
with tenderness and love. My meditations on both were inex- 
pressibly comfortable. Oncoming to Morpeth, late in the even- 
ing, many difficulties occurred : also precious opportunities of 
attempting spiritual good to oUiers, which were cheerfully em- 
braced ; I trust not in vain. 

29. Left Morpeth this morning, much comforted with 

the thoughts that good had been done, and that the Lord had sent 
us to that house against our own inclination for this very purpose. 
We were no sooner on the road than dangers and difficulties 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 127 

surrounded us. I was wonderfully strengthened to bear them 
with composure, and to assist others ; and we were graciously- 
delivered. I was led much out in prayer to be made faithful to 
God, and was very sensible of the danger of being unfaithful. I 
felt as if moulded into the will of God. Reached Newcastle at 
two o'clock. Spent, repeatedly, some time in prayer concern- 
ing what I feared, and then left all to God. I must record it to 
the honour of his goodness and mercy, he heard and quickly 
answered me ; and, to my great astonishment, did more than I 
could have expected. O how good is God ! Still difficulties 
were in our way, and still, through mercy, we overcame them. 
In the evening we reached Durham, after seeing the watchful 
care of God in our preservation ; and here we have stayed till now, 
the 30th. Lady Glenorchy has been very ill, and I have been 
much indisposed. Much of the faithfulness of God I have ex- 
perienced since I came here. Social and secret prayer has been 
much blessed. Under many discouragements, several opportu- 
nities have been embraced for the spiritual good of others, both 
saints and sinners. Follow them with thy blessing, O God ! 
and make me humble and grateful : continue thy goodness, and 
in much greater abundance. 

30. Set out this morning from Durham. My joys did 

not abound by the way, but my faith remained the same. Lady 
G. continued weak and unwell. At midday reached Harrow- 
on-the-hill ; here her illness increased, and for the first time I 
felt uneasy about her. I went alone, and endeavoured to cry to 
God : and truly he filled me with comfort. I never did enjoy 
such intimate union, and inexpressible delight in Christ. I felt 
sinking into him. We then pursued our journey, and all my 
anxiety was gone. Through mercy, and with comfort, we 
reached Darlington at night. Here, as in every place, something 
was attempted for God. As one opportunity was embraced, an- 
other offered. 0, to be faithful ! Many temptations to impatience 
and displeasure w-ith others were cast in my way ; but, through 
mercy, my mind was kept in peace. Their effect, I found, was 
this, they made me more and more to cease from man, and 
cleave closer to God. I felt stimulated to confess him in public, 
letting every other consideration fall to the ground. This always 
brings comfort and strength. 

June 1. Left Darlington this morning, and about midday 
reached Northallerton. Here I enjoyed a profitable time in read- 
ing the Scriptures to Lady G., in speaking from them, and in 
social prayer. After dinner, when with others, my mouth was 
wonderfully open to speak of the mystery of redeeming love, and 
the great privileges of Christians. In the evening we arrived 
at Boroughbridge, after enjoying delightful meditation and con- 
versation on the road. Here I spent much time in secret and 
social prayer, and found it good to be so employed. About nine 



128 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

o'clock at night, through mercy, reached Knaresborough, unu- 
sually fatigued in body ; but the Lord was good to my scul. O 
what a week have I enjoyed of divine comforts ! of communion 
and fellowship with God ! How constantly have I been permitted 
to see the King, even Jesus, in his beauty. O for a grateful 
heart! 

June 2. (Sunday.) My joys have been sensibly abated to-day. 
1 thought I saw the cause, and my heart was pained within me : 
I could neither enjoy persons nor things. I feared sinking from 
God, and the thought distressed me. I attempted to confess God 
before men, but my own soul was languid. O to be faithful ! 

7. This morning we left Knaresborough, and reached 

York for dinner. Found power, by the way, to speak upon the 
word of God, and light seemed to shine upon it. While at this 
place, even when with others, I enjoyed inexpressible comfort 
in my soul ; delightful inward liberty. God was with me of a 
truth ! At night was severely tried, and felt keenly. 

8. Visited the sick, and those devoted to God, and came 

to Tadcaster, where we dined. Here Jehovah thundered with 
his mighty voice, and lightnings flashed around with awful gran- 
deur, but I could say, through mercy, 

" This awful God is ours, 
Our Father and our love." 

He exerted his power, and manifested his goodness, in sparing 
the lives of those who trusted in him. When the storm abated 
I enjoyed much sweetness and liberty at the throne of grace, 
with my companions. At night came to Leeds, much tired : 
we had much profitable conversation on the road, and I enjoyed 
comfort in my soul. 

9. (Sunday.) When I arose in the morning, my God and 

Saviour was at my right hand. In secret prayer I had nearness 
of access. Found it good to be in the house of God, morning, 
afternoon, and night, and social prayer was, as usual, delightful. 

10. Still my fellowship is with God, and with his dear 

Son. Wherever I have been, he has given me power to realize 
his presence and to enjoy his love : persons, things, and places 
have led me up to him. We viewed the Infirmary and Cloth- 
hall, at Leeds ; and the Moravian establishment, at Putsey. I 
was keenly tried and much pained at the latter place : I also 
feared I had not acted and spoken as I should have done ; this 
added to my sorrow. I asked of the Lord power and opportunity 
to do what I well knew was his will in the present case, and he, 
in mercy, granted both, which satisfied me. At night we came 
to Halifax, very late, and much fatigued. Here also trials 
awaited me ; my body was afflicted, and my nerves and spirits 
weak, but still my God was good. 

11. This morning my indisposition was removed, and I 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 129 

enjoyed repeated opportunities of profiting, both in public and pri- 
vate, which were not in vain. Had comfort in my soul, and found 
conversation on divine subjects, and social prayer, truly profitable. 

12. Felt tried with many untoward circumstances, and 

knew not how to act ; but simply requested of God to direct 
into his will. The Lord, in mercy, heard my prayer, disappointed 
my fears, and greatly exceeded my expectations. In the morn- 
ing went to Hickmanwhite, where we spent three hours in the 
house of God, and heard two good sermons by different ministers. 
I found it a delightful time : Christ was unspeakably precious, 
and clear to the eye of faith ; he shone with increasing bright- 
ness to my soul, and through the day gave me power to speak 
closely to others on experimental religion. At night came to 
Rochdale, happy in my mind. 

13. Unwell in body, and uneasy, fearing I had grieved 

the Spirit of God. What a mercy to have the fountain ever 
open. This morning came to Manchester. By the way, my 
heart was melted with a sense of the goodness of God, compared 
with my own unworthiness, and was amazed at his mercy and 
tenderness toward me. Was much in company while in this 
place, yet had power in the midst of it to enjoy God, and to act 
for him. My soul pants to live more to him, to be more holy in 
heart and life. Came to Bolton at night. 

14. Enjoyed a delightful time in morning devotion : my 

faith was strong ; a loving confidence in my God prevailed in 
my heart. Here, also, endeavoured to be useful to the souls 
of my fellow creatures. Dined at Chorley. Felt power to 
speak for God by the way, and by faith beheld God the Father, 
and God the Son. The Lord, in great tenderness, shows me 
what I yet lack, what is amiss, and also enables me to cry for a 
supply, and then graciously bestows it. Lord, thy goodness is 
unsearchable ! O make me grateful, make me faithful, make me 
fruitful, for thy name's sake ! Came to Preston at night. 

15. Dined at Garstang. Temptation was strong : I 

looked to the Lord, and endeavoured to stay my mind on God. 
He weans me more and more from created good, and shows me 
that He only is truly good. . Lord, I believe it. Came to Lan- 
caster at night ; was unwell in body but comfortable in soul, and 
temptations were abated. 

16. Sunday. Remained at home all day through indis- 
position. Had much profitable conversation on the things of 
God, but not much joy. 

17. This morning my faith was strong, and my views 

clear, but suffered a degree of heaviness through manifold temp- 
tations. O that in all 1 may glorify God ! Came to Kendal at 
night: wai very comfortable here! Christian conversation was 
profitable, and social prayer sweet. Embraced the opportunities 
which were presented for benefiting others. 
6* 



130 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

18. Came to Penrith. Here had a good deal of conver- 
sation with the landlady on the subject of religion, and gave her 
some serious books. 

19. Dined at Carlisle. Had power to converse on the 

things of God, but was unwell in body. Here enjoyed repeated 
opportunities for social and secret prayer. Found the worship 
of God delightful, especially at the cathedral, during the after- 
noon service. I felt the presence of Jehovah, and made a solemn 
and unreserved surrender of myself to God, and found it very 
delightful. This I repeated at the inn. Came to Langtown at 
night. By the way the Beloved of my soul was exceedingly 
precious. 

20. Dined at Langholm. On the road enjoyed the 

presence of God, with clear views of divine objects, but felt an 
unusual incapacity, or rather want of inclination, to converse on 
even my favourite topics. Enjoyed much time for prayer, with 
an increase of power to assist others. Came to Hawick at night, 
and still the Lord was good. 

21. Set out this morning very early, indisposed in 

body, but better in soul. Found it good to speak on the things 
of God, and to read his word. Breakfasted at Selkirk. Felt 
pained, on leaving this place, that I had not attempted to do 
more for God. Dined at Bankhouse. By the way the Lord 
preserved me in time of danger ; but I felt grieved, fearing I had 
not acted as I ought to have done. how narrow is the way 
of entire devotion ! What constant watchfulness is necessary ! 
At Bankhouse my mouth was opened to speak for God ; my 
hands were strengthened, and my heart comforted. In the even- 
ing came to Dalkeith ; stopped a few minutes, but heard me- 
lancholy tidings, which obliged us, though late, to go onto Edin- 
burgh. Through mercy my mind was very comfortable, and my 
God brought me to my habitation in peace, after having experi 
enced much of his goodness. He had also preserved my family 
during my absence. How great is his faithfulness.* 

July 27. I have for many weeks experienced much of the 
goodness of the Lord. I have wrestled much with God; my 
fluttering spirit has fatigued my breast. Jesus has drawn me 
sweetly on, both by the attractions of his beauty and by the in- 
vitations of his word. He has been unspeakably precious to me ; 
his name has been as ointment poured forth ; my meditations on 
him have been truly sweet ; he has appeared altogether lovely. 
He also encourages me by his precious promises to press forward. 

* The editor has been induced to insert the above extract, which de- 
scribes the manner in which her ladyship invariably travelled ; from a hope 
that other Christian travellers may be stimulated by it to follow such an 
excellent example. They might thus become the honoured instruments of 
scattering the seed of life on many hitherto sterile and uncultivated spots ; 
and, " instead of the brier, might come up the myrtle tree." 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 131 

The following passage, spoken in reference to his church, has 
been frequently and powerfully impressed on my mind. Ought 
I not to take encouragement and comfort from it 1 " The Lord 
thy God in the midst of thee is mighty ; he will save ; he will 
rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love ; he will joy 
over thee with singing," Zeph. iii, 17. Precious words ! What 
can we desire more 1 

August 2. My God has increased my faith, and love, and 
desire, since last Sabbath, when I had an opportunity to partake 
of the ordinance of the supper. I experienced on that day more 
than I seemed able to enjoy; yet not a rapturous joy, but strong 
faith, full confidence ; and since then my spiritual borders have 
been, in a small measure, enlarged. My fellowship with the 
Father and Son is more intimate and uninterrupted. I am en- 
abled to realize their presence wherever I am. My meditations 
are delightful, my views clear, and many, very many opportuni- 
ties are afforded for the spiritual and temporal good of others, 
with power to embrace them. I enjoy an increase also of the 
fruits of the Spirit. 

30. Enjoyed a delightful season while meditating on 

divine things, on the goodness of God to my soul, and on the 
love of Jesus. On riding out soon after, I was exposed to danger; 
and, through the weakness of my nerves, was greatly agitated 
for a few minutes ; but the Father of mercies quieted my fears. 
What a strong passion is fear ! how involuntary ! How poor 
and weak this mortal frame ! To how many painful feelings is 
the soul, that divine spark, subjected while imprisoned in it, and 
from which no degree of grace can procure an exemption. In 
the evening spent much time in seeking to promote the spiritual 
benefit of some young ones, and it was truly a profitable season ; 
made so by the cheering, animating, delightful presence of my 
God and Saviour. O how richly does my God repay my feeble 
attempts to glorify him. He is not a hard master ; he rewards 
liberally. 

Sept. 10. I enjoyed many privileges to-day, but from pain 
and sickness could not improve them as I wished. Yet my God 
was good. I still fear stopping short, and see clearly my works 
are not perfect. This day met with a most unexpected trial. I 
endeavoured to give it up to the Lord, and was preserved in 
more peace than I expected. My God, let thy will be done, and 
may I heartily acquiesce ! for more holiness ! In general, I 
find that every degree of increase in the grace of God is pre- 
ceded by a proportionable degree of humiliation and self-abase- 
ment. What cause have I to be humbled in the dust ! I need 
to pray always ; and yet I am not so much as I ought to be in 
this duty. O for a more prevailing spirit of prayer, and more 
constant watchfulness ! 



132 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

12. The Lord convinces me that I cannot retain the 

measure of grace already given, without continually pressing on 
for more. He shows me how much is yet to be done in me, but 
does not permit the sight to depress me. He, on the contrary, 
encourages me to seek after and expect all that holiness which 
Christ has purchased for me. He draws me sweetly on by the 
consolations of his Spirit, and by the words of his grace. He 
preserves, and greatly comforts me in the time of trial and 
danger. O how great a privilege is it to have a God to go to 
in seasons of necessity ! 

October 2. It has been a season of severe trial since this day 
week. I have not been so much alive to God, nor enjoyed power 
to wrestle in prayer, neither that degree of delightful intercourse 
with my heavenly Father. I have been restless and uneasy, 
though perhaps not enough so. I have gone from reading to 
prayer, from prayer to reading, and from that to meditating, but 
still could not find what I sought — intimate communion with God. 
I cannot perceive any particular cause for this change. Faith 
discovered God the Father ; I still saw Jesus as the King in his 
beauty ; and still I could believe and plead the promises ; but I 
did not feel such a degree of spiritual life nor so much comfort 
as usual, and my spirit was grieved. Surely the Lord has some 
wise end in view by this severe dispensation. O that it may be 
fully effected in me ! I fear lest I should have grieved the Holy 
Spirit, and thus brought it on myself. Give me, Lord, to see 
this, if it is so. I have felt very defective in watchfulness ; but 
alas ! what can we do when the Lord seems at a distance. He 
is our only proper spring of every degree of spiritual obedience : 
all our wellsprings of life are in him. 

6. Nature was conquered this morning, and my heart 

was comforted in secret. I felt a greater degree of spiritual life. 
In the forenoon, at church, enjoyed a sense of divine presence : 
Jesus appeared lovely to the eye of faith. O the power of divine 
love ! My God, give me every moment to experience its utmost 
power, its transforming efficacy. O to be lost in love ! I have 
been sensible to-day of a greater abstraction of heart from the 
things of time and sense, and a proportionable increase of near- 
ness to heavenly objects : the one is, I believe, a consequence 
of the other. The Lord teaches me more and more the vanity 
of all below the sun. I feel also at times the fiery darts of Satan, 
which makes Christ precious. At present I am very sensible 
of the necessity of keeping near to God : it is a dangerous time 
on many accounts. O to be able to stand steady to the end, firm 
as a wall of brass, and as an iron pillar strong : unmoved by 
threatening or reward ; uniformly good, as a witness for the 
truth. Lord, this is my ambition. 

21. I have this day a fresh proof of the faithfulness 

of the Mo9t High, and of the certainty of the accomplishment 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 133 

of the promises, which I would here record to the glory of God 
and for the comfort of my soul. Some weeks ago the person 
who taught my little charity school was taken from me ; and this 
caused me considerable perplexity. The Lord was entreated to 
provide another, if the continuance of the school would be for his 
glory. My mind was impressed with these words, " Stand still, 
and see the salvation of the Lord,'' Exodus xiv, 18. This, 
for a time, removed my fears, but difficulties increasing, they 
again returned. I cried to the Lord, and his word again came 
to my relief : " He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him ; 
he also will hear their cry, and will save them," Psalm cxiv, 
19. This again calmed my mind, and when in prayer one day, 
in secret, pleading with the Lord that he would direct me to a 
proper teacher, there was evidently set before my mind a person 
I had never seen, but remembered having heard years ago that 
he taught a school. This intimation I kept to myself, and, like 
Mary, pondered upon it, and at the same time made all proper 
inquiries respecting the person. Others, well qualified, were 
repeatedly applying for the place, but still I thought the man thus 
brought to my recollection would certainly be procured. I still, 
however, proceeded cautiously, and guarded against an improper 
haste. I also continued to cry to the Lord for direction. After 
a competent space of time, and many inquiries, this very individual 
has engaged this day to teach the school ; and he appears weH 
qualified in all things, to my mind, that is material ; above all, he 
seems a most serious young man, and desirous to glorify God, 
by being useful to immortal souls. I do not know how he may 
turn out, but feel at present sweetly satisfied that the Lord has 
provided him. What praise is due to a prayer-hearing and a 
prayer-answering God ! 

22. "Words fail to express what I have enjoyed of the 

goodness of God to-day. Faith seemed lost in fruition. My 
views of the Father and the Son appeared to have attained an 
unusual degree of brightness ; almost meridian. O what an 
exuberance of goodness have I been permitted to enjoy ! so much 
so, that my heart began to meditate terror. Satan tempted me 
to think, " Surely some great distress is at hand." Indeed I have 
often hitherto found that the Lord, before any trial or affliction, 
has been uncommonly gracious to me. But why should I anti- 
cipate evil 1 Teach me, Lord, properly to enjoy and improve 
present mercie ... I fear I did not improve to the utmost what I 
have enjoyed to-day. O to feel more of the transforming power 
of gTace in my heart and life ! I long to be more holy, more 
like my Jesus, that all my nature may show forth the glories 
of the Lamb. I want to drink deeper into his Spirit ; to expe- 
rience a greater oneness with him ; a more intimate union with 
the Source of bliss. 0, 1 would be all divine, as far as humanity 
will permit ; in other words, I wish to enjoy all that conformity 



134 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

to rny Lord it is possible to enjoy while in the body. I am still 
favoured with opportunities of attempting to do good to others, 
and have much delight in the employment. 

November 27. My views of Jesus have been clear, my mind 
fixed on God : much comforted with divine love in conversation 
and social prayer. More than ever, my God favours me with 
opportunities of acting for him, by doing good in various ways ; 
and in mercy he also gives more inclination and power to be 
thus employed. I desire to be full of good works, and free from 
all dependence upon them. If my heart does not greatly deceive 
me, this is not my temptation : all my trust is in Jesus : here my 
anchor is fixed. What a stream of constant happiness flows 
from a union of soul with him ! 1 do hope that the Lord, agree- 
ably to his promise, is establishing, strengthening, and settling 
my soul. I have felt for the last twelve months more rooted 
and grounded in love, and in the ways of God in general, and 
yet find less confidence in myself. The more God does for me, 
the more do I feel dependent upon him. My strength consists 
in living by faith upon Christ. He is my all in all : yet, 

" For closer communion I pine, 

I long to reside where thou art." 

O glorious thought, that I shall dwell to all eternity with him ! 
Transporting prospect ! 

December 6. In the course of these eight days I have ex- 
perienced much of the goodness of God : have enjoyed much 
sweet and more uninterrupted communion with him than usual. 
My Jesus has been ever with me, as my King, glorious, and yet 
so condescendingly gracious, as to constrain me to love him. 
Often, when his name has been mentioned, as usual, I have 
tasted ineffable sweetness : my heart has leaped within me with 
joy that he was mine. What must it be to dwell for ever with 
him, when a small taste of his love here is so delightful 1 O 
what am I, that I should be thus favoured ! Lord, make me 
more grateful, more humble, and enable me to improve thy good- 
ness more. I am still permitted, at times, to feel particularly 
my own weakness, and what Satan would do, if allowed : this 
makes me dread self-dependence, and enhances in my estimation 
the value of the Saviour. I am still, also, deeply sensible of the 
peculiar goodness of the Lord when I attempt any thing for his 
glory, in the way of assisting others. O how gracious is he on 
these occasions ! But still, in all I come short, and have much 
cause to be ashamed and humbled. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 135 

CHAPTER XII.— 1777. 

Diary continued. 

January 1. My God has made his goodness to pass before 
me this day also. He has sweetly drawn out the desires of my 
heart after himself, and given me by faith to see Him who is 
invisible. O what a substantial good is God to the believing 
soul ; and when he more sensibly manifests his presence, what 
a heaven does it produce ! Upon a review of the last year, I 
find infinite cause to praise my God, who, in the course of it, has 
done more for me than ever. He has accomplished many of his 
precious promises, and given me to enjoy communion with him- 
self; and to feel a more constant sense of my union with his 
dear Son : and in a more lively and clear manner, he permits 
me to see him continually as the King in his beauty, and to dwell 
always under the covert of his precious blood. Indeed I am not 
sufficiently grateful for what has been done for me within these 
last fourteen months ; neither am I sufficiently sensible of it : 
and this principally because I see so much more which neces- 
sarily remains to be done, and so much before me not yet ob- 
tained. I see how much I stand in need of sinking deeper into 
God, of being more deeply rooted in his love, and more free from 
wanderings. I cannot bear the thought of resting short of any 
measure of grace attainable here. Yet how slowly do I move 
in the heavenly road ! amazing, indeed, is my tardy pace. O 
how much more so must it appear in the eye of God, and 
of angels ! 

25. Since the 18th, it has been a time of trial, especial- 
ly by sickness, which brought a degree of languor upon my spi- 
rit. It generally has this effect upon me, less or more, on which 
account I do not feel so resigned to bodily affliction as is, I be- 
lieve, my privilege ; though I believe a degree of this depres- 
sion of spirit I must experience while in the body. How com- 
fortable the prospect of being an inhabitant of that city to all 
eternity, where none ever say they are sick. Till then, my 
God, enable me to pass the time of my sojourning here, not only 
in thy fear, but in as perfect resignation to all thy dispensations, 
whether joyous or adverse, as humanity will admit. In the 
course of these days past, my faith has been much the same, 
though my joy was not so great. I have enjoyed a sweet con- 
sciousness of my union with Jesus ; my place of defence has 
been the munition of rocks ; I have been fed with the bread of 
life, and the water of life, according to the gracious promises of 
a faithful God. I have also had such communion with the 
Father of spirits as to make me wonder that a holy God could 



136 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

dwell with one that had so little of his image. O how ardently 
has this made me breathe after more holiness ! my heart has 
panted after the largest degrees of sanctification. I have en- 
joyed some sweet seasons in secret and social prayer, and this 
evening felt my faith for the blessing received in November, 
1775, confirmed ; also my expectation of retaining it strengthen- 
ed. Daily opportunities of doing good are granted me, with 
strong desires, and some power to use them. Blessed be God 
for all his mercies ! 

February 5. In the course of these eight days, I have felt 
variously. Have often had sweet views of Jesus, and at times 
felt him so nigh, so very clear to the eye of faith, that faith 
seemed lost in sight and enjoyment. I have been constrained 
to speak of him to others as the chiefest of ten thousand. What 
ineffable sweetness do I taste when the name of Jesus is men- 
tioned! an instantaneous heaven springs up in my soul. But 
O, how is it, when so highly favoured, that I do not grow more 
like my divine Master 1 Surely I do not improve the glorious 
visit as I ought, else I should gain more conformity to him : my 
soul longs for more of the divine image. I feel ashamed before 
God and man that I am not more holy, considering the advan- 
tages I enjoy. O Lord, remove the cause, that the effect may 
cease ; and make me, as the King's daughter, all glorious with- 
in. Every day I look to make progress in the divine life ; but 
alas ! how are my expectations disappointed : for in all I do, or 
say, I come short ; yet the Lord bears with me. But shall it 
be always thus ? I enjoy God in secret prayer, especially in the 
morning ; and I enjoy him in social prayer, in conversation, 
meditation, and reading : but how can all this be, when I am so 
unlike him 10 to be holy as God is holy ; to be meek and low- 
ly as Jesus; to sink into all the depths of humble love, and rise 
to all the heights of Christian confidence. I may say with the 
poet, — 

" My earth thou water'st from on high 

But make it all a pool ; 
Spring up, O well, I ever cry, 

Spring up within my soul. 
With me I know, I feel thou art, 

But this cannot suffice ; 
Unless thou plantest in my heart 

A constant paradise." 

This is truly the language of my heart. 

March 26. These last seven weeks I have been severely 
afflicted in body, and part of the time no less so in my soul. O 
may my God sanctify the afflictive dispensation. He has pro- 
mised that I shall be brought out of it as gold seven times puri- 
fied. In the beginning of this illness, the Lord was exceedingly 
gracious. 1 could not express what I enjoyed in the love of 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 137 

Jesus ; truly God dealt bountifully with me. But afterward I 
was left to feel my own weakness, and to grapple with strong 
temptations. Satan thrust sore at me, one night, when very 
unwell, so that I was ready to fall and utterly sink. I cried to 
the Lord, and he made his word my support. The Lord has 
raised me up, though still weak ; but I have been closely 
tempted and tried since, and my spiritual joy is much abated. I 
do not feel so near to God, nor my views so clear, neither my 
faith so strong : I feel as if out of my element. My enemies 
have been permitted to make great havoc in my soul, at least to 
my own apprehension ; but surely the Lord will rebuke the ad- 
versary, and greatly increase me for his own name's sake. I 
feel deeply unworthy of it. O how far back do I feel in the 
divine life, Lord ! restore to me the joy of thy salvation. O bring 
my soul out of trouble, that I may praise thee ; and cause this 
affliction to bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness. 
May 3. In the course of this last fortnight I have felt variously. 

that I could say I had improved much ! This I dare not say, 
but think I can with some degree of truth affirm that I have 
hungered and thirsted after it : and if my heart does not deceive 
me, I have sunk deeper into God ; felt more fixed in him as in 
my centre. I have experienced more inward recollection, my 
soul more stayed on God. Jesus has been truly precious ; my 
heart has indeed felt him nigh : and he has proved a source of 
sweet consolation to my soul. 

June 12. Still I have cause to praise God, who deals bounti- 
fully with me : still I am, through mercy, permitted to enjoy 
sweet fellowship with my God and Saviour ; and, in general, am 
kept under the influences of the Holy Spirit : O what praise is 
due ! Yesterday, and the day before, I felt keen anguish, from a 
fear that I had grieved the Spirit of God. O how the thought 
pained me ! I cannot say easily what I felt. May almighty 
power and goodness keep me every moment exercised as my 
Lord would have me ! O to be preserved from every touch of 
blame. If this is possible while in the body, let me, O my God, 
happily prove it. I find it is only by looking to Jesus I can 
either increase or retain what he has bestowed. The Lord does, 

1 think, more than ever, enable me to live by believing in him, 
and looking to him. My life, in a small degree, is one continued 
looking up to him, dwelling under the covert of his blood, and 
realizing the presence of my God ; this spreads a heavenly 
serenity through my mind, and sweetly solemnizes my spirit. 
The more I live after this manner, the more fixedness of thought 
I experience, the deeper I sink into God ; but, after all, how 
poor my progress. O for a quicker pace, a swifter motion ! Still 
morning devotion in secret is sweet ; I enjoy comfortable access 
to my God, and am enabled to plead the promises, and depend 
upon them as " yea and amen' 1 in Jesus. 



138 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

19. Where shall I begin to praise my God ? I am asto- 
nished at his goodness when I consider and feel how unworthy 
I am ; how unprofitable, how unfaithful, how far short in every 
respect. Yet he condescends still to let me see by faith his un- 
clouded face. In comparison of former experience, he has 
brought me into a wealthy place ; but I am much short of what I 
expect. He has promised greater things, and I know he is faith- 
ful, and will perform all his promises. If any thing, my commu- 
nion with God is increased : O what sweetness do I taste in 
Jesus ! how precious is he ! how constant my sense of a vital 
union with him ! — as the branch in the vine, so do I feel in him. 
But I long to drink deeper into his Spirit, yea, to be filled with 
the entire fruit of the Spirit. I think he gives me an increasing 
deadness to the world, together with a proportionable degree of 
life in the ways of God. In the midst of the divine comforts I 
enjoy, Satan tries many ways to tempt and distress me. On 
last Lord's day, though confined, my spiritual consolations were 
so great I was strongly tempted to believe it all a delusion, be- 
cause they were not of a more transforming nature ; but Jesus 
lifts up a standard when the enemy thus pours in. God appeared 
so clear to the eye of faith, it was not possible it could be a de- 
ception, and Jesus shone into my soul with transcendent bright- 
ness. Indeed I have reason to blush I am not more holy ; but 
I must not deny the goodness of my God because of this : no, 
rather I must cleave closer to him. 

30. Since my last date, truly God has been good : I 

cannot express what I enjoy in Jesus ; I am, through amazing 
mercy, privileged to walk with him, and talk with him, as a 
man with his friend. I ever feel him nigh, though the blessed 
view is not always attended with the same degree of comfort ; 
but in general I am made to sit in heavenly places with him, to 
cleave to him by a lively faith, to dwell under the covert of his 
blood, and to follow after him. While I now write, my heart 
feels him sweetly nigh, the eye of faith beholds him clear. In a 
small measure, I enjoy the accomplishment of that precious 
promise, Zech. ii, 10. O Lamb of God, was ever love like 
thine ! I still enjoy sweet access to God in secret and social 
prayer ; and prove it very comfortable to talk to others upon the 
concerns of their immortal souls. I frequently have much of 
the presence of my Beloved in the great congregations, in different 
places. How great my obligations to free grace ! I do long to 
make suitable returns. O for more love to God, more power to 
live to his glory ! I am not enough on the stretch for God : I do 
not hold forth the word of life constantly in that amiable light 
that I wish. I am often pressed down with indisposition of 
body, with weak spirits and nerves. This causes me to appear 
at times as if I were unhappy, which grieves me ; I wish to 
show to all that real religion can raise human nature above every 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 139 

sorrow. While in the body, I know we must feel ; we shall 
suffer from various causes and quarters. My heart is pained 
from day to day, with the dishonour done my God by those that 
know him not ; and, alas, by too many that profess a knowledge 
of him. These causes will perhaps more or less remain until I 
join the church triumphant ; the only place and company that 
claim, and possess, an entire freedom from sin. 

16. In the course of these two weeks I have been more 

tempted, and my spiritual enjoyments have not been so great as 
before ; though still I feel deep cause to praise my God. In 
general I rest in him ; yet at times I feel uneasy, perhaps partly 
from these weaknesses, that are more or less inseparably con- 
nected with humanity, and partly from temptation. I find that 
there is nothing so much tends to compose the mind, and to keep 
it religiously recollected, as a constant sense of the presence of 
God. If at any time, from some of the above causes, I am in 
danger of being unhinged, a look to God, by faith, sets all to 
rights. Immediately all the affectionate powers of the soul are 
collected, and fixed upon God, as on their proper centre, and a 
heavenly serenity ensues. It is more than can be expected, 
while in this vale of tears, to know no seasons of weakness. 
May I be enabled every moment to lay as passive clay in the 
hands of my God, and have all the good pleasure of his will take 
place in me. This is sufficient, but indeed my heart pants with 
strong desire to feel the utmost power of transforming grace. 

August 8. In the course of these eighteen days, I have expe- 
rienced great and frequent vicissitudes of feeling ; sometimes 
very comfortable, at others, much grieved, dejected, and tempted. 
Upon the whole, my spiritual enjoyments have not been so great 
as usual, and I have feared sinking from God. Yet he has been 
very gracious in enabling me to help others, in soul, body, and 
outward estate. He has favoured me with opportunities of 
strengthening the weak hands, confirming the feeble knees, soft- 
ening the hard heart, and greatly encouraged the people to trust in 
him ; both by prayer, conversation, and letters. This is all his own 
doing, and therefore to him be all the glory. I have been lately 
unusually led out to wrestle in prayer with God for more of the 
divine life, and to hunger and thirst after every blessing pur- 
chased for me ; but still I do not advance as I wish — still I feel 
painfully short of what I would be. I am amazed at my unpro- 
fitableness, unfaithfulness, and unwatchfulness. O for all the 
grace God is willing to give ; and power to use it all for him. 
When, Lord, when will it be 1 I enjoy much sweetness in 
pleading the promises in secret and social prayer ; but I cannot 
express how much my heart is pained that I do not love and 
serve God better, that I have not more of the divine image. I 
would be all on fire for God, a flame of love. I would experi- 
ence unbounded confidence in him, unlimited resignation to him, 



140 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

and have even my countenance strongly marked with a deep 
sense of his presence. But alas ! I am far from this ; I am not 
so faithful as I ought to be to his inward teaching ; I am not all 
attention to his secret voice ; I am easily unsettled ; I want a 
greater equality of spirit and temper ; I would be always the 
same; neither much elated nor depressed; but continually serene, 
humble, and cheerful : I want more silence of spirit, more victory 
over my tongue, a deeper and more constant consciousness that 
God is with me, and sees me. I need more of that perfect love 
that casts out fear ; that degree of it which would enable me to 
cleave alike to God in sickness as in health, in pain as in ease, 
in death as in life. How good is God, who bears with me ! and, 
in spite of all my failings, yet gives me to see him and his dear 
Son by faith ; and keeps me constantly sensible of my union with 
him. Within these few days, he has rather increased me ; he 
gives me to see his gracious hand in what befalls me, and makes 
me to believe he will, according to his promise, be my counsellor 
in all things. Yet I feel I need patience to wait the accomplish- 
ment of the promise : I am often tempted to impatience, but as 
often checked immediately. Forgive my haste of unbelief, O 
thou God of love, and enable me to wait patiently on thee. I 
need more patience, I find, also, with my fellow creatures. O 
Lord, thou seest how much I need an increase of every grace of 
thy Holy Spirit. O bestow it this day, that I may praise thee. 

Sept. 10. I have been lately variously affected and tried, and 
my comforts not so great. O to be always the same ! How 
devoutly to be wished, but I believe not to be expected while in 
the body ! Yet I may look for that measure of grace which 
shall keep me cleaving to God in all states. O my God, give me 
this ! enable me to glorify thee at all times, and it sufficeth. 
Of late, I have been strongly tempted in many ways, and I fear 
not faithful. O how this mortal body presses down the soul ! 
As it respects attempting to do good, I do not know that there 
is any change, though my attempts are not always attended with 
the same degree of comfort. I have grieved lately, fearing my 
communion with God has been less. O that he may remove the 
cause and the effect, and accomplish all his promises. I go from 
here to-morrow for bodily health. O that as usual my soul may 
be happy ! may I have much cause to praise him when I return. 

Oct. 6. On Friday last my God brought me home in peace 
to my family, with my health better than when I went from 
hence. The ways of my God toward me, in the course of my 
journeying, have been mercy and truth, though I have not en- 
joyed such strong consolations as I generally do. The state of 
my soul has rather consisted in heart-melting and deep convic- 
tions of my shortcomings, which tended much to humble me be- 
fore God. Yet I felt a desire to do all possible good. At first, felt 
reluctant to this ; but that conquered, my desires and opportuni- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 141 

ties were increased ; my encouragement great ; and my soul was 
thereby strengthened and much comforted. The means in 
which the Lord gave me most of his presence was prayer, espe- 
cially social. I seldom bowed my knee, but my God and Saviour 
drew nigh. Since I came home, I feel a sensible increase of 
thirsting after righteousness, and of communion with my God ; 
my views are more clear, and my faith stronger. The storm of 
temptation is abated, and succeeded by a sweet calm ; my bodily 
health also is better, my nerves and spirits more firm, and I have 
found my family and connections well. It is mercy all ! — what 
praise is due ! 

Nov. 3. For these last seventeen days, my God has dealt 
indeed bountifully with me. Close, sweet, deep, and almost un- 
interrupted, has been my fellowship with God the Father and 
Son. O what a glorious privilege is communion with God ! it 
is better felt than expressed : it is, as a good man describes it, 
the lively actings of the soul upon God by faith in holy exercises ; 
in which he communicates to us the sense of his favour and 
acceptance, filling us with joy and peace, and making us abound 
in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost, and shedding 
abroad the sense of his love in our heart. Amazing goodness 
and condescension ! Astonishing that sinners should be thus 
favoured ! What in his love do I not possess ? He is with me 
by night and by day ; my last thoughts at night are his, and my 
first in the morning spring forth to him. He unveils the glories 
of eternity to my faith ; the land that is afar off is brought nigh ; 
wherever, I walk, or move, I meet my Jesus, who possesses all 
my affections. In a small degree, I can say with Dr. Watts, — 

" If love, that pleasing power, can rest. 
In heart so hard as mine, 
Come, dearest Saviour, to my breast, 
For all my love is thine." 

-2'2. O that all my powers might praise my God, who 

deals so bountifully with me. Still I dwell on high. Through 
abounding mercy, I have had many sweet seasons in the course 
of these eight days, in public, private, and secret ; in conversa- 
tion, meditation, reading, hearing, and praying. I have enjoyed 
habitual communion with God ; clear views of, and sweet inter- 
course with, my beloved Saviour. He has often (to use the 
language of Scripture) made my soul as the chariots of Amina- 
dab, and caused me to sit in heavenly places with himself. He 
has shone into my soul in all his attractive beauty, and captivated 
my heart. In general, he now teaches me more than ever to 
live continually by faith upon him ; he is my life, my strength, 
my comfort, my all. Yet still I am weak, I am only strong in 
his strength, and in his pure light alone I see light. I cannot 
praise him as I would : now, while I write, how sweetly nigh do 
I feel him — how clear by the eye of the mind do I behold him ! 



142 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Jesus, what hast thou done for me ! My soul longs, and fre- 
quently attempts, to set forth his beauty to others, and, I hope, 
not always in vain. 

27. My God has increased his goodness to me since 

Sunday last ; I have indeed dwelt in the secret place of the Most 
High, and abode under the shadow of the Almighty. My views 
of Jesus have been brighter than ever, and my intercourse by 
faith more intimate and sweet. I am not able in the language 
of mortality to express what I now enjoy in him ; and what un- 
interrupted communion I am permitted to hold with God the 
Father. Yesterday was indeed one of the days of the Son of 
man ; when meditating upon divine things, and fearing, in the 
view of trials, unfaithfulness to God, the bright glare of eternity 
seemed to obscure, or rather to annihilate, all below the sun. 
Future glory was unfolded to my view. I felt almost as an in- 
habitant there, and more than ever formerly did I feel under the 
powers of the world to come. This was after conversing with 
a Christian friend about two hours on the things of God : but 
Satan soon suggested, surely more severe trials than ever are 
now at hand ; which was likely to embitter my present heaven. 

1 started back, as it were, and feared to receive more from God. 
Lord, how wonderful are thy dealings with me ! how good thou 
art in answering my prayers ; for this last was an immediate 
return to my request. I asked the Lord, in order to make me 
faithful to him in the time of trial, which I viewed at hand, that 
he would give me to see and feel time swallowed up in eternity, 
that every worldly consideration, such as the fear of man, &c, 
might vanish. 

Dec. 27. Various causes have concurred to interrupt my 
writing, but I find I have suffered loss by it. It is indeed a 
good thing to watch constantly over our heart and life, to attend 
diligently to all the Lord's dealings toward us, and then to record 
them for our benefit : nothing but necessity should make a 
Christian neglect it. For these last four weeks my comfort has 
not been so great. I have been greatly tried in body, mind, and 
outward estate ; and the Beloved of my soul has not felt so nigh, 
which made me feel them heavier. My spirits and nerves, also, 
have been affected, and all together conspired to bring me into 
heaviness. I have been unusually detained from the public 
means by affliction of body, and have feared continually lest I 
should get into self-indulgence, which has added to my trials. 
But, according to the wonted goodness of my God, though I am 
unworthy, I look to be increased. At times, I have been re- 
freshed with a sense of the presence of my God, and Jesus has 
also been with me : but my communion with the Father and the 
Son has not been so near and sweet as usual. I have felt a 
partial distance, and one reason of this has been, I think, a ne- 
cessity of much attention to outward and worldly things, with a 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 143 

variety of trials from without and within. I have been harassed, 
and sometimes driven, and sometimes drawn, from steadily look- 
ing to Jesus. 



CHAPTER XIII.— 1778. 

Diary continued. 

Jan. 1. On this first day of the new year, I feel inclined 
(may I be enabled) to make a fresh dedication of myself, with all 
I have and am, to my God; yea, a more full and unreserved 
surrender of myself than ever. Lord, accept my sacrifice ; O 
may the altar sanctify the gift ! and through thy sovereign grace, 
may I live more to thee, do more for thee, and prove more of 
thy sanctifying and saving power. May my communion and fel- 
lowship with thee be sensibly increased, and continued, if spared 
through this ensuing year. May I be made more faithful to thee, 
to thy cause, to my fellow creatures, and myself. Lord, I would 
also offer up to thee my family ; O be the God of it, and enable 
me to walk before thee in it, in a perfect manner ; ruling it only 
by giving light, by a deportment becoming the gospel. O how 
defective hitherto ! I would also, O Lord, offer up to thee all 
my relations ; O accept of them, and make them, by faith in 
Jesus, thy children. O let these requests be registered in thy 
book of life, and answer me in the joy of my heart concerning 
them. 

I feel a small increase of grace in my soul, more comfort in 
prayer, more love to God, and the fiery darts of the enemy are 
not so frequent. Upon a review of the last year, I find many 
mercies, spiritual and temporal, for which to be thankful. I have 
been favoured with much of the sweet presence of my God, and 
his dear Son : with much inclination and a degree of power, and 
very many opportunities of doing good to the souls and bodies of 
my fellow creatures. I give them, Lord, up to thee ; follow them 
with thy blessing. I have also been favoured with many de- 
liverances, with regard to soul, body, and outward estate. Lord, 
powerfully sanctify them to my good. But alas ! I find likewise 
many, very many things to lament ; much unfaithfulness, un- 
fruitfulness, ingratitude, &c, &c. O what is man! By nature 
what a compound of all evil ; and even after, by the great good- 
ness of God, he hath passed from death unto life, O how de- 
fective ! what continual shortcomings ! Lord, thou knowest my 
pen does not note these things as words without a meaning, only 
commonplace expressions; no, my heart feels the truth of what 
I now write, and I most sincerely regret that there should be 
cause for it. Help, Lord, O help thy unworthy servant to love 
thee more and serve thee better. 



144 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

■ 30. (Friday.) This has been a precious day. I have ex- 
perienced much of the goodness of the Lord since I wrote last. 
But on Wednesday and Thursday an unusual degree of languor 
overspread my soul, for which I could not account, and I did not 
seem so much alarmed as usual on these occasions ; this also 
grieved me. To-day, in mercy, the Lord revived me ; and at 
night, in his house of prayer, he made much of his goodness to 
pass before me. In meditation before the service began he" 
shone upon his work in my soul, led me back to the days of my 
folly and ignorance, and showed me what he had done for me ; 
gave me to enjoy sweet and clear communion with the Father 
and Son, and deeply and feelingly convinced me how totally 
ignorant I was of these great things till he revealed them to me : 
in short, my God led me into a delightful train of meditation 
upon his past goodness to me : and gave me also a present pos- 
session of himself and his dear Son. Immediately after, heard 
a profitable sermon on the last verse of the 32d Psalm : " Be glad 
in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous : and shout for joy all ye 
that are upright in heart ;" which so corresponded with my 
meditations, and corroborated the truths and views given me 
just before, as was most comfortable : I had cause to praise my 
God. But when shall I love or serve him as I wish \ 

February 7. Still my Jesus is with me and very precious : he 
hovers over me with eyes of tenderness and love. Are these 
expressions improper ] Are they enthusiastic al ? What heart but 
must flame with love when Jesus fills it with his presence ! 

" Are passions, then, the pagans of the soul ? 
Reason alone baptized, alone ordained, 
To touch things sacred. O for warmer still !" 

I cried to my God to-day to establish me more, and that my 
communion with him may be more deep and permanent ; for as 
yet I find it admits of small and painful interruptions ; I mean, 
as it respects spiritual joy ; and is at times lessened with fears 
of having grieved his Spirit. It is not easy always to draw the 
line between temptation and sin. I have entreated he would 
shine on his work in my soul, and testify clearly, with meridian 
brightness, what he has done for me ; that I may give the glory 
to him, and take all the comfort he intends I should. 

March 11. Still outward and inward trials continue. I prove 
the body a cumbrous load ; it affects my soul in many painful 
ways. No affliction for the present is joyous. What grieves 
me most is that I do not glorify God more in the fires. Yet he 
is good, and, at times, gives me a sweet sense of it in prayer, 
reading the Scriptures, and conversation ; and at the name of 
Jesus still a heaven springs up in my soul. I believe many of 
my painful sensations are the effects of bodily complaints, and I 
doubt not many are caused by unfaithfulness. Yet, unprofitable 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 145 

as I am, the Lord is good, and gives me many precious promises 
to support and comfort me. Lord, thou art faithful who hast 
promised, who also will do it. strengthen my faith, and fill 
my heart with a greater power of obeying and delighting in thy 
will. Thou hast graciously said, not one word shall fail of all 
the good things whereof thou hast spoken. Lord, increase my 
power of living by faith, — enable me to cleave to Christ. I find 
the Father and Son, in general, continue clear as the objects of 
my faith; but of late, the degree of joy resulting from that faith 
varies much, though hungering and thirsting after all that God 
is willing to give. Manifold temptations often cause heaviness, 
and bring such a languor and inexpressible uneasiness upon me 
as frequently unfits for duty ; prevents intenseness of spirit while 
in it, and often shortens it. May I be taught to improve to the 
utmost every situation. To-day I have been struggling into God, 
though with little comfort ; till at night, in meditation, God the 
Father and Son seemed to draw very nigh. I have cause to 
praise the Lord, who, in spite of the weakness of my body at 
present, in general gives me sweet access to himself. But in 
every duty, in every grace, in every trial, I see and feel such 
continual shortcomings, and great defects, as are truly painful 
and mortifying. O to be revived as the corn, to grow as the lily, 
and to cast forth my roots as Lebanon. 

April 7. One of the days of the Son of man. I enjoyed much 
of the presence of my God, when with his children in the fore- 
noon ; and when walking out with some of them, and talking of 
the things of eternity, the Lord drew sensibly and sweetly nigh, 
so that my heart was quickly made as the chariots of Amina- 
dab. Soon after an enemy was at hand, and I felt keen distress, 
from a fear that I had done wrong. Satan attempted to pour in 
as a flood, especially when I went to the chapel in the evening. 
I fled to the blood of Jesus, cleaved to him strongly by faith, 
and he felt near to help and comfort me. Yet I could not get 
entirely free from the fear that I had grieved the Spirit of God ; 
this was very bitter. How uninterruptedly sweet would my life 
be if it were not that these thoughts frequently occur ; perhaps 
from a real cause, for want of a greater degree of watchfulness. 
At times a word will escape me, that upon strict examination 
afterward I find did not entirely coincide with the feelings of my 
heart ; then keen anguish ensues ; words in common use, but to 
which little if any meaning is attached. How long is it before 
we entirely unlearn every improper thing we have learned in a 
state of nature ; and even when we think we have got free of 
them all, how often, when least expected, do they return. 

19 (Sunday.) Since my last, my soul has been hun- 
gering most vehemently for more holiness. A thousand worlds, 
had I been possessed of ihem, seemed nothing to give in ex- 
change, could I have purchased it. Mv soul felt at times much 
7 



146 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

discouraged with the thoughts of my poor progress in the ways 
of God ; but often within these few days in secret prayer, when 
thus grieved, my Jesus manifested himself sweetly unto me ; 
shone in all his beauty and goodness, and attracted all the af- 
fectionate powers of my soul. With ten thousand times more 
tenderness and kindness than the dearest earthly friend did he 
strengthen my hands, comfort my heart, and encourage me to 
go on. O how does this divine goodness endear him to my 
soul ! Yet still I languish and pine, because not altogether like 
him. O for a deeper work of grace ! O for more faithfulness in 
improving what is already bestowed ! To-day, being the Lord's 
day, I found it a great cross to be detained from public worship ; 
but thought it a dut} 7 , and proved my God nigh at hand in secret 
prayer : had there a sweet view of being for ever with the Lord ; 
and O how delightful was the prospect ! 

May 30. From various causes my writing has been inter- 
rupted for a month. It has been a time of much temptation and 
trial, in body, mind, and outward situation. O that I could add, 
in all I have been faithful ! Alas, it is not so. When shall my 
complaining be at an end ? When shall I love and serve God as 
I wish, and my communion with him know no interruption 1 O 
that the time would speedily commence. Since my last date 
I have had precious seasons, times of refreshing, many instances 
of the goodness of my God in various ways ; but upon the whole 
I have cause to lament that I have not made that progress I 
might, neither been so faithful as I ought, especially in the time 
of trial. Weakness of nerves and spirits subjects me to painful 
feelings. Yet I have felt the interests of Zion dear to me, and 
a greater spirit of prayer for her prosperity than usual, and the 
welfare of individuals belonging to her. I have been also stirred 
up to appear more in public for the cause of religion — I mean by 
using my influence with others in behalf of the peace of Jeru- 
salem ; and have felt comfort in embracing the opportunities that 
offered for the spiritual and temporal interests of others. Family 
and secret prayer has been sweet, and when permitted to hear, 
the word preached has at times been profitable. Last night I 
truly proved it so ; my communion was with the Father and the 
Son, though still not so near as usual. I have had severe bodi- 
ly illness, and since that there is a degree of languor I have not 
conquered, and also weakness whereby I am easily affrighted and 
unhinged. O to be strong in the Lord : O to enjoy all he can 
bestow, all I can enjoy. 

June 7. (Sunday.) Found it good to wait on God in public. 
This forenoon went to church, through difficulties, but did not 
repent it ; the Lord was with me, and where Jesus is there is 
heaven : to be every moment thus favoured ! Yet I think it is 
holiness, rather than comfort, which I pant after. I see the 
beauty of holiness, how desirable to have the whole image of 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 147 

God stamped on the soul. This — this is the object of my de- 
sire, the subject of my prayers, my meditations, my conversa- 
tion : how mortifying then do I feel it to have so little of it. 
my God, attend unto my prayers, hear my cries, and give me 
the thing I long for ; give me the mind that was in Christ ; 
remember thy own word of promise concerning this, upon which 
thou hast caused me to hope. In the evening, being obliged to 
be with others, I was grieved to find, upon examination at night, 
conversation had not been so profitable as it should have been ; 
my heart was pained : what need for oonstant watching. 

21. (Sunday.) This last week, my soul has been long- 
ing for more of the divine image, desirous of glorifying God, and 
being zealous for his interest in the world ; for promoting of 
which several opportunities have been given me, with power to 
embrace them, which gave comfort. I have felt Jesus very pre- 
cious these days past ; at the mention of his name he has fre- 
quently and instantly manifested his presence, attended with a 
joy better felt than expressed. I do taste salvation in his name. 
to know him better ; to love him more ; and to feel greater 
conformity to his image ! I pine for this, and am pained that 1 do 
not adorn his gospel more. Upon the whole I do not think my 
communion with God is so constant as it has been. Holy Father, 
discover the cause, and remove it ! It has been, for some time 
past, a season of manifold temptations, which has brought heavi- 
ness. My nerves and spirits have been much affected. The 
complaints under which I have suffered are great enemies to the 
joy of faith. This day, though unwell in body, I have attended 
the house of God morning, noon, and night : but found little com- 
fort till the evening, under a sermon from, " Return unto thy 
rest, O my soul." Here my Jesus was benignly nigh ; my views 
of God and his dear Son sweetly clear. This seemed given to 
prepare for more than one trial, which I soon met with. How 
good is God ! 

July 2. Upon the whole, since this day week, the Lord has 
increased me ; my views of Jesus are brighter, my faith strong- 
er, and attended with more comfort. The grand secret of the 
Christian life is living by faith, ever keeping this divine principle 
lively, and vigorous, and constantly fixed upon its capital object. 
Without this we draw little supply from Christ ; and since we 
can do nothing without him, how feeble, how uncertain, how in- 
terrupted must be our progress. For some time I have lived 
more by faith : the actings of it have been vigorous, and my in- 
most soul has been on the stretch for more holiness. My com- 
munion with the Father of mercies has been greater than for 
some weeks past. My sweetest time for secret prayer is early 
in the morning. I also often prove the Lord near in social 
prayer. In the morning, when I first open my eyelids, how 
delightful do I feel it to fly by faith to Jesus ! and continually 



148 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

through the day, not only to attempt a constant living by faith 
upon him, but also, in every particular thing I do, to look to him 
for strength and wisdom ; and wherever I go, to realize his pre- 
sence, and repeat my acts of self-dedication to him, opening my 
heart by faith to receive him afresh : and in all these attempts 
he is even at my right hand. Yet for closer communion I pine. 

when shall my longing desire be satisfied ! I still feel it is my 
delight to act for God, and he gives me many opportunities to 
encourage me herein. The Lord gave me to know yesterday 
that he had blessed a conversation I had, some years ago, with 
one of his own children, to the quickening of her soul, and she 
has prospered greatly since. O to possess in my own soul all 
that God is willing to give ! Lord, enlarge my borders. 

August 5. The more I see and know of the world the less I 
esteem it, and the more I desire to be delivered from it : to live 
indifferent to its smiles and frowns. O what vanity and vexation 
is the portion of those, at least many of them, that enjoy much 
of what are called its good things. My soul, keep thou free from 
it ! I had an additional conviction of this to-day, by conversing 
with an aged disciple, much connected with those in high life. 
In God alone is true happiness to be found. My soul feels drawn 
out to be much in secret prayer ; to have much communion 
with God ; and to be faithful to all about me in every respect. It 
is a great thing to be altogether a Christian. I pant to be such. 

31. I have had sweet seasons these two last weeks. 

The public means have been more than usually blessed to me. 
Jesus has been very precious to me, and near. I do find, where- 
ever I am, the Lord is with me ; agreeable to that gracious 
promise, long since deeply impressed on my heart, " Have not 

1 commanded thee ] be strong and of good courage ; be not 
afraid, neither be thou dismayed : for the Lord thy God is with 
thee whithersoever thou goest," Joshua i, 9. Upon strict 
examination I find the Lord has done more for me than I am 
always sensible of. Strong temptation sometimes obscures my 
light and diminishes my joys, and outward trials press upon me; 
these often cause agitation of spirit and inequality of temper and 
affection, which, in a degree, unhinge and grieve me. All this 
may be without sin ; yet I ardently long to be freed from it, be- 
cause it is very possible others may mistake it for sin. I want 
a perpetual serenity of mind. If by this is understood a con- 
tinual sameness of feeling, I fear, before I experience it, mortality 
must be put off. I want to prove the utmost power of trans- 
forming grace, whatever that is. O, my God, satisfy my longing 
desires ! I think I suffer loss, at least in point of enjoyment, by 
not meditating enough on what God has done for me : an eager 
desire for what I have not yet obtained carries me away. Lord, 
do thou regulate all my irregularities. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 149 

" Here all my powers I bring, 

Manage all the wheels, 

And govern every spring." 

I am still kept hungering after more power to glorify God. 
Lately he has opened a large field wherein to attempt it, and 
gives me power to walk in it. May he succeed my humble en- 
deavours. I feel a sweet persuasion that he will. 

September 14. The first week of September I enjoyed much 
of God in public and private, in meditation, conversation, and 
secret prayer ; with many opportunities of doing good, with 
health of body, and a keen hungering after righteousness. This 
last week my enjoyment of God has not been so great ; at differ- 
ent times my communion has been increased, Jesus has been 
near and sweet, and my heart has panted after all the life of God : 
at other times, I have not felt so comfortable ; trials have de- 
pressed my mind ; temptations have distressed me. I have had 
keen convictions of my shortcomings, with most ardent desires 
for all the grace I could receive. I am persuaded that I do not 
pray enough ; that I do not watch enough ; that I do not suffi- 
ciently deny myself : and, for some days past, I have had a con- 
viction that I do not so much as usual realize the presence of 
God. My spirit, I think, is not enough solemnized, nor my 
temper so equal as it ought to be. Surely these things are dis- 
covered that they may be rectified. O my God, operate power- 
fully in me ; make me after thine own heart. I desire to be all 
glorious within, to be all for thee, to give thee each precious 
moment as it flies. 

October 1. This has been, indeed, one of the days of the Son 
of man. In secret prayer, in the morning, the Lord made much 
of his goodness to pass before me. How precious did my Jesus 
feel ! How strongly did he draw my heart and affections to him- 
self! This delightful intercourse is better felt than expressed. 
O that it may prove transforming. In the forenoon I took up 
my cross, in order to do what appeared my duty, and was for 
some hours most uncommonly tried ; but my communion with 
the Father and the Son was so constant and sweet, I was car- 
ried above all, and was assisted in the midst of these trials, some 
of them strong, to embrace opportunities that offered for glori- 
fying God. In one point I failed, which grieved me ; though 
not entirely certain that what was asked of me was duty : but 

how unspeakably gracious was my God ! In my way home, 
such ineffable sweetness, such heavenly views, filled my soul as 

1 cannot express. I felt as if disunited from all below, and not 
a cloud interposed for a moment to hide my Lord from my eyes ! 
I could have bid adieu to all below, and gone to be with Christ, 
which would have been far better. I saw in the forenoon, in the 
course of the trials I went through, the reason of the uncommon 
goodness of God in the morning. O how good is he ! 



150 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

November 13. A long interval of a month and three days 
has intervened since I wrote last, in the course of which I have 
passed through variegated trials of soul and body ; and have 
much cause to be humbled before God, that when in the furnace 
I did not glorify him as I ought. I find all past experiences are 
insufficient in the time of trial, unless the Lord command a bless- 
ing with them. I have had a recent proof that no " affliction for 
the present is joyous, but grievous ;" yet there are doubtless 
many valuable lessons to be learned from it. I have more than 
ever been taught my own weakness ; also, the vanity of all be- 
neath the sun. Much comfort preceded this illness ; and, in the 
beginning of it, Jesus often drew sweetly nigh, which gave com- 
fort ; but it was not abiding. In the course of my illness all the 
powers of hell seemed combined to distress me. So strong was 
the stream of temptation, that the Lord was a terror to me ; his 
judgments made me afraid. I was driven fromjprayer : much 
of my usual relish for divine things forsook me. I felt almost 
driven to despair. The Lord only knows what I have suffered. 
O how quickly should I have been consumed by the fire of tempt- 
ation, had not the Lord said, " Hitherto shalt thou come, and no 
farther." He also said that he who had showed me great and 
sore troubles would bring me up again from the depths of the 
earth, and revive, and quicken me, and comfort me on every 
side. The former he has done ; the latter still remains to be fully 
accomplished. Since I grew better in body I have been in a 
state of great weakness, much harassed at times with that fear 
which hath torment ; at other times comforted with the presence 
of Jesus. But the sinews of my endeavours to do good have felt 
as if broken asunder through what I have suffered, and the ardour 
of my soul is damped. Yet surely the word of the Lord must 
stand. He will accomplish it, and perfect what concerns me. O 
what a great matter is it to be faithful in the time of sore trial 
and temptation ! My fears have been increased from my views 
of the state of public affairs ; judgments are hanging over us, 
and few are sensible of it. Within these two days I have begun 
to be more active for God, and my comfort has been greater, my 
spirits have been better, and my body stronger : surely I may look 
for good days yet. O to be more devoted to the will of God ! 
then sufferings would not cut so deep. 

22. I have been rather languid these nine days past. 

Still it is a time of trial in various ways. I have not regained 
what, to my own apprehension, I lost in my last illness. I think 
my loss has in some measure been owing to a sinking, in a de- 
gree, from the life of faith ; not cleaving so steadfastly to Christ 
as I ought in the time of distress, and by judging of my state 
more by feelings than by faith. The Lord is increasing my de- 
sire to do good, and enabling me to embrace the opportunities 
offered ; but still my comfort is less ; I do not feel so much com- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 151 

munion with God, neither such a constant power to realize his 
presence, neither such delight in him : still a degree of fear re- 
mains. My hopes have, as yet, been disappointed, as it respects 
the fruits of my last illness. 

December 1. Was both profited and most severely tried to- 
day. The fear of losing a valuable parent was deeply afflicting. 
I fear what I felt was not fully consistent with resignation to the 
will of God : nature was overcome. I know that " unreproved 
she may drop a tear :" but I felt too keenly. I was enabled to 
cry unto the Lord, and he helped me. For the present he has 
in a measure removed my fears, and filled me with gratitude, but 
my will must flow more deeply with the divine will. 

26. I have been oppressed these last three days, yet no 

trials seem to discourage me from attempting to do good to 
others as opportunities offer. But I lament I do not obtain 
greater victories over my enemies, and make greater progress in 
the divine life. Years pass quickly on ; but alas ! how little 
improved. This thought cuts deep upon a mind desirous of 
being all light, all life, all love. Yet, in a small measure, I do 
daily converse with God by faith and prayer, and daily see 
Jesus as the King in his beauty. While I now write, I feel him 
precious, and see him clearly. O to be more like him I 



CHAPTER XIV.— 1779. 

Diary continued. 

January 1 . The Lord has brought me to see another year. 
If spared, may I glorify him more than ever, by being more 
faithful, more fruitful, and more active in his cause : this is the 
ardent desire of my soul. On a review of the last year, I have 
cause to say my God has been truly good : the consolations of 
his Spirit have neither been few nor small. He hath visited his 
unprofitable servant with many refreshing seasons, and often 
delivered from bodily affliction ; given me many precious pro- 
mises, and numberless opportunities to promote his glory, by 
attempting to be useful to the bodies and souls of my fellow 
creatures. In all I have come short. I can scarcely perceive 
that I have made any progress heavenward. When shall my 
complainings cease ? O to be as holy and happy as my God 
waits to make me ! Through the course of the year, I think I 
have in general found more profit in reading the Scriptures, 
more comfort in secret prayer, especially early in the morning ; 
and also more power and courage to act for God in a public 
way. He has discovered some new methods for this which he 
had not before shown me. May the success of my attempts 
prove that they were from himself, and may he daily enlarge my 



152 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

sphere of usefulness. For these last three months, I think I 
have enjoyed a greater degree of establishment in his ways; 
yet, excepting some precious visits, without much additional 
comfort. I have also had, during that period, much perplexity 
about the true state of my soul ; but whether this uncertainty 
arises from any loss of grace, or is the result of carnal reasoning, 
I am at present unable to determine. Shine, Lord, upon thy 
work : give the witness and the fruit of the Spirit in a much 
larger measure, that in thy light I may see light. 

7. A happy day. Jesus was precious to my soul this 

forenoon when from home. I felt a heavenly serenity shed 
through my soul ; enjoyed clear and distinct actings of faith upon 
God and Christ, with a power to realize their sacred presence. 
Repeated acts of self-dedication produced confidence and com- 
fort ; but I neglected some opportunities of doing good. how 
unprofitable ! The Lord, in great mercy and kindness, conde- 
scends to encourage me to go on in his ways : he enables me 
to rely on his word of promise ; and I believe he will, in me, 
" fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work 
of faith with power," 2 Thess. i, 2. This is what I want. Be 
it, Lord, as thou hast spoken : hasten thy work, that I may glo- 
rify thee. 

21. For some days I have been the subject of severe 

bodily affliction, but have enjoyed much comfort in my mind. 
The Lord has dealt tenderly with me. In general my views of 
God and Christ have not only been clear, but productive of more 
deep and steady comfort. Within the last eight days I have 
been obliged to be much with others ; yet, so gracious has the 
Lord been, that I have been permitted to enjoy delightful fellow- 
ship with the Father of my spirit, and with the adorable Re- 
deemer of my soul. O to enjoy this, and all its blessed effects, 
to the utmost possible extent! Though thus comforted, tempta- 
tions of various kinds, and some of them very painful, have 
attacked me ; and still I mourn that my conformity to the divine 
image is so small and defective. I fear, while I remain in the 
body I shall not cease complaining. At present I suffer from a 
too great inequality of spirit. I am too easily moved. The 
reverse of this, at least in a degree, I believe to be my happy 
privilege. How far a constitution naturally weak, rendered so 
by various causes, may prevent all I desire, is a question I cannot 
easily solve ; or how far these variations may exist without any 
mixture of sin, I am also at a loss fully to determine. May He 
that knoweth all things give me to know, and also to prove, the 
utmost efficacy of divine grace. At present, I feel weak in 
body, weak in mind, and unable to spend much time at once in 
any duty ; yet I am comfortable. I am very desirous to be* 
faithful to those around me, both by precept and practice ; but 
am sadly defective. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 153 

February 22. Since my last date I have felt, at times, most 
ardent desires for more devotedness of heart and life to God. I 
fear self-indulgence, and am on the watch against it ; yet, from 
constant weakness and frequent indisposition, I am, I know, in 
danger of it. But the Lord hath said, " No weapon formed 
against thee shall prosper." I also fear that worldly cares occupy 
too many of my thoughts, and hurt my soul. Lord, help me to 
cast my every care on thee. My conversation in my family is 
not so spiritual as it ought to be. I determine to improve in 
this. This night, when reflecting on past experiences, I was 
sensible of a growth in grace. My views of God and Christ 
are more clear, my peace more constant, my power to act for 
God greater, but I still live below my privileges. I fear I am 
not improving, to the utmost, my present situation. It has long 
been a time of great temptation. O that it may prove a puri- 
fying furnace. 

25. Was often this morning and forenoon at a throne 

of grace, yet could not obtain that intensity of mind and heart I 
desired. O what is man ! Without continued aid from on high 
he is all weakness, unfaithfulness, unprofitableness. How great 
the long suffering of God that bears so long with him ! When 
visiting the sick to-day, found my views of God the Father and 
Son clear, and my meditations sweet ; all nature seemed to wear 
a smile : indeed, the beauties of nature ever tend to elevate my 
mind, and thus carry it up to its great Author. O to be more 
spiritual ! I found to-day, by attempting to communicate happi- 
ness to others, I secured happiness to myself. Surely our Lord's 
words are strictly and literally true, "It is more blessed to give 
than to receive." But in all I say, or do, or think, I fail. Holy 
Jesus, I fly to thy atoning blood for pardon, and to the blessed 
Spirit to sanctify me. Make me as the king's daughter, all glo- 
rious within. 

27. O how gracious was my God to-day ! He gave 

me a delightful prospect of eternity, clear and bright views of 
himself and of his dear Son, and a sweet persuasion of being for 
ever with him. I cannot easily express what were my feelings 
on the occasion, but truly my meditations were very heavenly. 
What a soul-satisfying portion do I find my God and Saviour ! 
How infinitely superior to all the world has to offer ! I rejoiced 
in my heavenly inheritance. This was late at night, and I re- 
gretted that sleep should interrupt my enjoyment. But a little 
while, and I shall get rid of mortality. No night shall then 
intervene ; there shall be one eternal day to sing the praises of 
rny God and King ; and I shall do this without weariness and 
without fainting. What is man, Lord, that thou shouldst 
thus provide for him 1 Amazing love ! " God only knows the 
love of God." It is far above our feeble comprehension. 

29 Was enabled to rise earlier this morning than 

7* 



154 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

usual, and in various ways my trust was in God. In the fore- 
noon went to church, and heard with sweet composure ; was 
preserved from wanderings, and enabled to realize the presence 
of my God and Saviour, and to attend to his word more closely 
than usual. On coming home was in a comfortable frame, and 
was desirous to return thanks to the Lord for his goodness. As 
I was entering my closet, the following words came powerfully 
to my mind : " The Lord is good ; a strong hold in the day of 
trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him." This made 
me fear trouble was at hand, especially when I considered what 
I enjoyed last night ; and, as usual, it damped my comfort. I 
prayed to the Lord, that if this was from an enemy he would 
remove it ; but, if from himself, he would enable me to profit 
by this kind and seasonable warning. Lord, fit me for whatever 
thou hast prepared for me, and be thou glorified in me. I would 
give myself to thee, all I have and am. 

March 9. My fears, expressed on the 29th of last month, 
were well founded. Since then I have been severely and un- 
expectedly tried ; but my God has been good, supported me, and 
brought me through. From ivea/cness of spirit and nerves the 
animal frame was more agitated than was needful ; but I hope 
this may be without sin. My severe distresses in early life, 
with a firm belief of the Christian religion, which quickly fol- 
lowed, and a comfortable persuasion of my interest in the glad 
tidings of the gospel, produced a serenity and solemnity of mind, 
with a sobriety of manners, which have more or less abode with 
me ever since ; but lately, from weakness of body, I am sooner 
agitated than formerly. This, at times, grieves me, especially 
as those who may perceive it may suppose that it flows from a 
different cause. Do thou, O Lord, strengthen me with strength, 
both in the inward and outward man, that I may not only appear, 
but really be, always calm and religiously collected. Teach me, 
heavenly Father, ever to maintain the dignity, the purity, the 
sanctity, of the Christian character : aided by thy blessed Spirit 
may I daily add to my " faith, courage ; and to courage, know- 
ledge ; and to knowledge, temperance ; and to temperance, pa- 
tience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness, brotherly 
kindness ; and to brotherly kindness, charity," 2 Pet. i, 5-7. 
The Lord has enabled me lately to see more fully the vanity of 
the world, and the emptiness of the creature ; and though nature 
is pained by the discovery, grace enables me to bless the Lord 
for the useful lesson. It increases my desire to know more of 
God, and to derive all my happiness from him, who is a fountain 
ever flowing, and ever full. 

It has also been much impressed upon my heart lately, to be 
grateful to the Lord for his merciful interposition in behalf of 
this nation, in not permitting the popish bill to pass, as it relates 
to Scotland. " May his unmerited goodness produce a proper 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 155 

effect on the minds of his people. How inexcusable must we 
be if we continue regardless of our own best interests and of his 
glory. His hand has long been lifted up against England, 
Ireland, and America, but as yet we will not see. In the pre- 
sent case, with regard to Scotland, how mercifully has the stroke 
been averted ! Had the penal statutes which are in force against 
the papists been repealed, and the encouragement intended by 
the bill given them, in all human probability, the Protestant 
cause would have been brought low, and how fearful must have 
been the consequences ! But our God is merciful to an ungrate- 
ful, insensible people. O that we were wise, that we would con- 
sider these things, and act accordingly. 

13. Another day is past, and I am so much nearer 

eternity. O that I could say I had got nearer to my God ! I 
have felt a greater standing alone with God ; a willingness to 
seek and find all my happiness in him. I have felt disposed, if 
called, to give up the creature, even Christians hitherto much 
valued. I have also experienced an increase of desire to live 
only to God ; to fill up all my time with and for him, and felt 
sweetly animated to embrace every opportunity that offered for 
doing good. Spent much time in Christian conversation ; found 
reading profitable, and looking to Jesus sweet. My soul felt 
drawn out with strong desire to adorn the gospel ; to be not only 
blameless but exemplary. Lord, make me sO. 

April 11. (Sunday.) Jesus appeared lovely to the eye of 
faith this morning, though the emanations of his love were but 
faint. Being detained at home in the forenoon, I wished much 
to improve time in secret with God. I felt groaning for more 
liberty, had more power to plead in prayer, and more composure 
than usual. I endeavoured to lay all my wants, my desires, my 
hopes, and fears, before the Lord ; and plead his promises for 
sanctification, which are many and extensive ; but I want more 
fervour. I attempted to search into the state of my soul, and to 
detect the causes of my want of prosperity, at least in the degree 
I want it. I seemed to see many, yet could appeal to the Lord 
that I wished them all removed. It has for some time been a 
season of trial, and from various quarters. I have been more 
than ever called upon to live by faith, in opposition to the aspect 
of Providence and the evidence of my own feelings, which are 
often painful. My comfort flows purely from looking to Jesus, 
believing in him, and from feeling my soul united to him. I 
scarcely find any thing in myself to rejoice in. Whether this is 
owing to the work of grace not going on in my soul so well as 
formerly, or from my being more delivered from self-confidence 
and self-complacency, I cannot determine. Blessed God, do 
thou discover it. 

25. In the intervals of public worship to-day I had 

sweet meditations alone. I have reason to think that I grieve 



156 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

the Spirit of God, by not being always sensible of, and grateful 
for, -what the Lord has done for me ; and this through an ardent 
desire of more grace. My views of sanctification are so high, 
so extensive, that I sometimes think 1 am scarcely at the 
threshold of a religious life : I conclude every one has more 
grace than myself; and feel ashamed to speak of my experience, 
my attainments are so small. Yet, through the great goodness 
of my Lord, at other times I am constrained to declare what he 
has done for me, and if my heart does not deceive me, I simply 
speak what I feel. 

May 25. Various have been my hinderances since my last 
date. Through necessary intercourse with others my time in 
secret has been frequently shortened, and my power of realizing 
the presence of my God and Saviour not so constant ; this cre- 
ated fears that my soul was not so much alive as usual. The 
fear of death has been more prevalent than for some time ; and 
for a moment, at different seasons, the fear of God's displeasure 
has given me great anguish. Satan has had recourse to various 
stratagems to distress my mind ; while my addresses to a throne 
of grace have not been so fervent as formerly, nor my power to 
abide in prayer so great. Within these few days the Lord has 
tried me in a tender point, and I am not certain but that nature 
felt more than is consistent with entire resignation. Lord, 
search and try me, and let no foe prevail. Let my will ever 
sweetly flow with thine, as soon as discovered. While I men- 
tion my fears and distresses I would not omit mentioning the 
goodness of my God, who has frequently given me delightful 
seasons, in secret and social prayer, in intercourse with his 
children, in his house of prayer, and at his table. 

June 5. T find Satan is a great enemy to the use of the pen, 
especially in this way, and I am not always aware of the tempt- 
ation. Since my last date I am sensibly strengthened, both in 
body and mind. I have obtained greater victories over nature 
than for many months past ; and have also found the word 
preached more profitable. Upon the whole, my soul is animated 
to run with greater alacrity in the good ways of God. The 
passion of fear has not been so predominant. I have enjoyed 
rather more comfort, with a greater equality of spirit, temper, 
and affection. With desire I have been led to embrace the 
opportunities that offered in which to do good, but still I am pain- 
fully short of my privileges. When shall I be all I wish. 

18. I enjoy greater nearness to God, more sensible 

comfort, and a considerable increase of hungering and thirsting 
after righteousness. The word preached has been more profit- 
able, especially a sermon on," Blessed are they that hunger and 
thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Here I found 
food peculiarly suited to my spiritual taste, and heard my own 
state exactly described : it was indeed a precious time. I have 



LIFE OF LADY BIAXWELL. 157 

also found social prayer and conversation with Christians much 
blessed, but I have had likewise much bodily pain. This, with 
me at least, generally lessens joy, but love and resignation may 
be always the same. I perceive I am but a babe in sanctifica- 
tion. to experience the strength and stability of a father in 
Christ. Nothing short of a plenitude of gospel grace can satisfy 
me, — a full and constant enjoyment of Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost. 

July 10. 1 am almost at a loss to express with any degree 
of precision what has been the state of my mind for several days. 
I think I have not been so much alive either to pain or pleasure 
in the divine life as I ought to be. Outward trials press hard 
upon me, and, I fear, occupy too much of my attention : Satan, I 
find, labours hard to keep me dwelling upon things without, well 
knowing, if he can carry this point, he will effectually diminish 
ray comfort, and add to the weight of trial. I am in some 
measure aware of this device, but not enough so ; for I find the 
more I am alone with God in meditation and self-examination, 
the more clearly I see solid ground for rejoicing, even in the 
midst of many outward and inward trials which cause heaviness. 
I fear sinking from God, losing any thing I have gained : I 
dread a Laodicean spirit, and grieve that I have so little of the 
fruits of righteousness — that I bring so little glory to God. At 
the same time, I am out of the world in heart and affection, and 
draw no comfort from its follies and vanities, or even from those 
enjoyments which many sensible people suppose essential to 
happiness. My spirit is so moulded that out of God I can enjoy 
nothing. My views of God and his beloved Son are clear, but 
they seem like objects discerned by moonlight ; there is not that 
warmth resulting from the sight that I am accustomed to feel. 
To-day, in the view of sitting down at the tahle of the Lord to- 
morrow, my heart is lamenting my comparative distance from 
the centre of happiness ; struggling into him, and sweetly drawn 
by a powerful magnetic virtue ; but still I feel afar off. O to get 
near, and to keep there in constant fellowship. 

23. Still it is a season of variegated trial from almost 

every quarter. Lately the fiery darts of Satan have been keen- 
ly pointed, and seemed to pierce to my inmost soul. At times 
the Lord gives comfort, shines clearly into my mind, and all my 
distress appears to vanish : — the sky is unclouded, and I feel the 
powerful influence of divine love ; but this pleasing change is of 
short duration, a painful transition soon ensues ; the clouds gather 
blackness, and my enemies renew their attack with redoubled 
violence. Yet my views of God and Christ are not obscured, 
neither the relation I stand in to both unperceived ; but, from the 
cruel power of temptation and weakness, little comfort is derived 
from it. Jesus hath appeared, and applied that precious promise, 
u Ye now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart 



158 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." I would 
gladly infer from this that great and good things still await me, 
when these days of sorrow shall have passed away. Hasten 
their departure, holy Father, and till then grant that I may be 
properly exercised, that I may afterward find the peaceable fruits 
of righteousness. 

August 2. For the last eight days the storm of temptation 
has in a measure subsided, and Christ has felt very nigh and 
precious, clear to the eye of faith. I have also enjoyed more 
comfort in family devotion, and in secret prayer early in the 
morning. I have now for some months been deeply convinced 
of my poverty ; may I thereby be taught to live more than ever 
by simple faith in Jesus, and then I know he will supply my every 
need. My heart is pained within me because 1 am at too great 
a distance from God : all is either an aching void or severe tempt- 
ation, and yet I do not obtain that fervour of spirit I wish. I 
want to cry mightily to God, and to take no rest till he bring me 
out of trouble. I sometimes fear that I have grieved the Holy 
Spirit ; and when I make a narrow scrutiny, several things ap- 
pear that I think, perhaps, are displeasing to him ; but yet I am 
not certain. In the time of severe trial we see things often 
through a false medium, and I frequently am at a loss on this 
account. The light of strong faith only can remove suspicions, 
scatter clouds, and give certainty in doubtful and perplexing 
cases. In whatever state I am, opportunities for usefulness are 
eagerly embraced, though sometimes not attended with much 
comfort to myself. Lately fears of death have passed through 
my mind, and cut keenly as they darted along. The Lord sel- 
dom permits them to stay long, but enables me to fly from these 
unbelieving thoughts, and to give them up to himself. Were I 
in the smallest degree to give way to them, they would make 
dreadful havoc in my soul. The keenest distress I feel at pre- 
sent is a degree of uncertainty respecting the will of God con- 
cerning me, both as it regards soul, body, and outward estate. It 
appears to me as if the Lord intended to make some change ; 
and that, by late and present dispensations, he is seeking to wean 
me from the persons, places, and things that at present surround 
me : this I leave to him, and only desire a sanctified use of all ; 
that in all things I may be enabled to give up my own will to 
him. Could I but glorify him as I desire, O how would this 
sweeten every cup. 

20. A few days after my last date, I was by my divine 

monitor warned of approaching trials, and found these words im- 
pressed upon my mind : " Keep yourself in the love of God." 
Soon after this my spiritual joy gradually abated, and trials in- 
creased till they seemed to compass me about ; to my own appre- 
hension I had daily less power to resist or overcome them. 
This has been my state for two weeks, and still so continues. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 159 

At times Jesus draws nigh and smiles upon me ; but he visits 
only as a transient guest. Though I endeavoured to rely on 
the promises of a faithful God, my faith in them is not so strong 
as to prevent all fear when the aspect of providence appears 
gloomy or discouraging. Yet, after all I have said, when I sit 
down to examine the state of my soul, I feel I have communion 
with the Father and the Son. By faith I see both clearly, bat, 
through the abundance of outward trials and inward conflicts, I 
reap but little sensible comfort from it. So true is it, that, both 
in things spiritual and natural, it is not so much what we possess, 
as that enjoyment of it which God only can give, that makes us 
happy. There seems to be a particular language in his dispen- 
sations of providence and grace toward me for some time past, 
which I do not fully understand. My way seems hid, my path 
intricate : I see not in several cases what is the Lord's will con- 
cerning me, and this certainty greatly adds to my distress. 

September 2. Two weeks more of my time is elapsed, in 
more distress of mind, and anguish of spirit, and affliction of body, 
than I can easily express. Surely, Lord, thou dost all things 
well, whatever I feel, whatever I suffer. Day after day I have 
looked for the turning of my captivity, but in vain : I have thought 
of the promises of a faithful God, and attempted to comfort my- 
self by trusting in them : — I have remembered the days that are 
past, when I had constant communion with the Father and the 
Son, and walked under the influence of the Holy Spirit : but all 
this only served to show, in more striking colours, the sad re- 
verse which I now experience. Yet God is faithful, his promises 
cannot fail, and I will trust in him. 

10. Since my last date the Lord has been carrying on 

his work in my soul by severe outward trials, strong spiritual 
temptations, and deep consolation. The fiery darts of Satan 
have been keenly pointed, and pierced my inmost soul ; at the 
same time, I have enjoyed a more delightful intercourse with 
God, even when engaged in the necessary duties of life, than for 
some months past. I have been made to see the King in his 
beauty, and the land that is afar off. In reading the Scriptures, 
in family and secret prayer, I have found God at my right hand, 
and Jesus has been to me a friend sticking closer than a brother ; 
but still I look for greater things than these. 

29. A precious day, especially in conversing with the 

people of God. how delightful did I find Jesus to my soul 
while speaking of his goodness to me ; the place seemed filled 
with his presence. In secret prayer, also, the Beloved of my 
soul condescended to visit me with the rich communications of 
his love, and by his presence made my closet a delightful para- 
dise. I felt surrounded with the Lord : — heaven sprung up in 
iny soul. O could I be thus ever near to the source of bliss! 
I regretted that the weakness of my body should demand rest. 



160 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Hail, happy eternity, when I shall serve my God day and night, 
without losing a single moment. Till then, indulgent Father, 
strengthen me in body and mind, and cause me daily to increase 
in love to thee, and in communion with thee. 

November 4. My experience proves that silence of spirit, 
and a constant keeping of the heart with all diligence, tend 
greatly to promote communion with God. Let God invariably be 
the object of our supreme affection, and we shall find this keep- 
ing of the heart easy and delightful. It costs us no trouble to 
think or speak of those whom we love. The Lord has been 
teaching me some important lessons this week, and he made me 
truly willing to learn them. One respects self-examination. I 
perceive that when I desire to know the true state of my soul, 
and for that reason attempt to look narrowly into my heart, I 
should begin by acting faith upon Christ, and upon the promises 
made to believers through him, in whom they are all " yea and 
amen." This instantly brings strength and comfort, more or less, 
into the mind, and thereby greatly facilitates the important work 
of self-examination ; it clears our views, and enables us to see 
light in God's light. Formerly, when attempting to try my state, 
if, on looking into my heart, I did not feel strong love and faith, 
I was discouraged ; and thereby gave the enemy an advantage 
over me, and unfitted myself for the work in which I was en- 
gaged. May my God teach me wisdom in all things, bless me 
with a teachable disposition, a quick apprehension, and a power 
to retain for my own profit every lesson thus taught : — I wish 
also to be qualified to instruct others ; for as I freely receive I 
would freely give. 

13. Much hindered from my usual retirement through 

intercourse with Christians, but endeavoured to make it profita- 
ble, and found social prayer delightful. The Lord still leads me 
forward in different paths of usefulness, and powerfully inclines 
my heart to employ every talent to his glory. Through 
mercy, I feel more rooted and grounded in the ways of God, 
and possess more power to confess him before the world. The 
Lord still gives me proof after proof of the emptiness of crea- 
ture enjoyment: and of the fulness, reality, and happiness of the 
things of eternity ; he gives me also to feel this, thereby not only 
enlightening my understanding and convincing my judgment, 
but also persuading and inclining my will to pursue spiritual and 
eternal objects. 

23. For some days I have experienced that " God is 

love." I think he is deepening my communion with himself, 
showing me how much nearer I may come to him, and pointing 
it out in different ways so clearly as to make me astonished at 
my own blindness, that would not permit me to see it sooner. I 
cannot express how precious I have found Jesus for a few of the 
last days; he hath permitted me to converse with him as a man 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 161 

with his friend, to see him clearly by faith, and to enjoy sweet 
union and communion with him. My life is now one continued 
resting on him. 

December 2. " God is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, 
and he knoweth them that trust in him." I have been afflicted, 
but it hath been a gentle visitation, and not attended with that 
languor I generally feel on these occasions. My God has given 
me to know him, as a God that heareth prayer. I have been 
convinced of the great privilege of drawing nigh to a throne of 
grace, and desired to improve it. I have found it sweet to give 
God my last thoughts at night ; in the morning, also, when I 
awake, O how delightful to find my heart and affections flowing 
spontaneously to my Lord, while he condescends to manifest his 
presence. Still my God enables me to act for him with com- 
fort and steadiness ; and gives me to enjoy him in conversation, 
meditation, reading, singing his praise, &c. O to be all that 
God would have me. 

20. My spiritual life is sensibly increased, I feel power- 
fully drawn to a throne of grace, and am constrained to abide 
there. While writing to a Christian friend, Jesus was benignly 
nigh : his name was as ointment poured forth, and my soul clave 
to him. O to enjoy those unsearchable riches that are in him. 
Some days last week I was uncommonly tempted, and felt very 
weak ; my soul shudders at what I then felt and feared. In 
spite of all the Lord hath done for me, how soon should I fail, if 
not continually upheld by Omnipotence. Blessed be my God, 
who does not permit these dreadful feelings to continue long. 
Holy Father, deliver me from them, that I may serve thee in 
righteousness and true holiness, without fear, all the days of my 
life. O when shall I be all I desire ; I would be all love, all 
praise, all meekness, — in short, I would be a living image of that 
God I serve. I would prove, to the utmost power of sovereign 
grace, all that elevation of mind, all that dignity of sentiment, 
all that purity of heart, all that sanctity of manners, which true 
religion inspires. Come, O my God, impart thyself more fully, 
and enable me to love and serve thee with all the strength and 
perfection that the imperfection of humanity will admit. 



CHAPTER XV— 1780. 

Lady Maxwell's correspondence with Lady Henrietta Hope. 

In tracing the Christian course of this eminently pious lady, 
we have hitherto derived our information principally from her 
Diary. After this period, many of her valuable letters, written 
to a few pious friends, have been preserved ; and we shall now 



162 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

gladly avail ourselves of this auxiliary aid. From her Diary, 
we have already learned how she communed with God and her 
own heart : we have seen her steadily advance in fervent piety 
to God, and in extensive and unwearied benevolence to man. 
Her epistolary correspondence will still, in a measure, pursue 
the same delightful themes ; but it will also enlarge the field of 
observation, and give a prominence to different traits in her lady- 
ship's character, which cannot fail to excite admiration. We 
shall thus behold her, in the relation of a spiritual parent, sym- 
pathizing in the afflictions of her amiable and pious daughter ; 
and with uncommon tenderness and fidelity, striving to pour into 
her bosom the balm of consolation. We shall see her exempli- 
fying a friendship founded in religious principle, and invigorated 
and regulated by the spirit of Christianity. And, while she can- 
not but charm by her delightful familiarity of manner and sim- 
plicity of style, she will continue to administer instruction on a 
variety of interesting points, both of religious experience and 
religious practice. 

Lady Henrietta Hope is already known to the reader ; and 
the other correspondents of Lady Maxwell shall be afterward 
noticed. 



TO THE RIGHT HON. LADY HENRIETTA HOPE. 

January 14, 1780. 

Does my dear daughter suppose I want compliments or pro- 
testations ? Indeed I do not. With regard to her, and my inter- 
course with her, my eye is single, and my intention pure : I 
wish the prosperity of her soul, and the return which would give 
me most satisfaction would be, to know that my feeble attempts 
to promote it were not in vain. 

If I could, I would remove your every spiritual malady ; how 
much more willing must your God be to make you all He would 
have you to be ! I believe you would willingly submit to all 
your present painful sensations, did you believe you were just 
in the way the Lord would have you. Your distress, I know, 
is heightened by uneasy fears that your want of prosperity is, 
partly at least, in yourself. Could I point it out, I honestly 
would, whatever pain you might feel from the discovery. As 
far as I know I think you have a tender conscience, and you 
shun doing violence to it : but I am not certain that you have 
not what is termed a doubting conscience, and this of itself is a 
source of much distress that the Lord does not mean we should 
feel : but till I know it is so, I will not say any more about it. 
I think you desire and attempt, as far as you know it, to do and 
suffer all the will of God. I believe you have no confidence in 
the flesh ; that you endeavour daily to take up your cross, and 
deny yourself ; if so, why do not you enjoy more comfort ? Nay, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 163 

why do you not " rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and 
in every thing give thanks ?" Were I to say what appears to 
me to prevent it, I would tell you : You do not keep your privi- 
leges in view ; of course, you do not live up to them. You live 
more by sense than by faith. When you examine your own 
state, your conclusions concerning it are too much influenced by 
evil reasoning. You seek holiness, I fear, as it were, by the 
works of the law, rather than by simple faith. You dwell too 
much upon your wants ; you are not enough thankful for what 
the Lord has already done for you. The haste of unbelief is not 
enough subdued ; a degree of murmuring at times takes place 
(than which nothing makes greater havoc in the soul) when 
tempted from various causes to fretfulness. Though you do not 
give way to it, yet you do not strive enough against it : you 
rather sink down into a state of despondency and supineness of 
spirit. These, I think, are some of your hinderances, which, 
together with a weak and sickly body and a variety of trials, 
bring you into heaviness, and press down your soul ; but be of 
good courage, all shall yet be well. I think you suffer loss also 
from want of intercourse with lively Christians ; and I believe 
not a small degree of your distress is of that kind which proceeds 
not so much from weakness of faith as from scrupulousness of 
conscience ; yet even this is highly useful in its season. But I 
apprehend this distress will pass away when you obtain more 
faith and love ; when you are more rooted and grounded in the 
love of God. There are different stages, you know, in the 
Christian life : — the young men are stronger than the babes ; the 
fathers are stronger than the young men. When you enjoy the 
stability of this matured state you will then be better enabled to 
" keep yourself in the love of God," and to overcome the wicked 
one. O that you may quickly experience this ! 

I hope the Lord means to give you your sister's soul, whatever 
may be the issue of her disorder. She is laid upon my mind in 
prayer, and also my dear daughter, more than ever. Be not too 
much distressed about not being able to abide in prayer, on your 
knees ; give it up to the Lord : he can soon remove it, or over- 
rule it for good, if he permit it to remain. By being so much 
above stairs you will have fewer things to distress you, and less 
fatigue of body, and, I dare say, prevent colds. May you be 
enabled to improve your situation to the utmost. 

Miss N. has given a very favourable account of me, I see, but 
no doubt I have reason to admire the goodness of my God for the 
health he has given me this severe winter. He knows I desire 
to use that, and all he bestows on me, for his glory. Had I a 
thousand lives, I would devote them to Him who has given his 
only Son for me, and permits me to feel the sweet attraction of 
his love very strongly. He is, indeed, the spring of all my joys, 
and comfort of my brightest days. I dwell continually under 



164 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

the covert of his wings, and find it all my plea for every blessing 
I stand in need of. I am still far behind, but through mercy 
kept hungering and thirsting after all the purchase of his cross. 
Be encouraged, my dear madam, to fight for the prize, O how 
animating the prospect of dwelling for ever with the Lord, and 
even here enjoying all that he has dearly bought, and is freely 
bestowing on his people ! And this belongs to you. What 
should discourage you ? and why with vexing thoughts should 
you disquiet yourself? Will you read and pray over the 17th 
and following verses of the 1st chapter of the Ephesians ; also, 
from the 10th to the 18th verse of the last chapter of ditto? I 
think you will find benefit from these scriptures. Be thankful 
that you obtain comfort in reading the Bible. There are wise 
reasons for the Lord's varying the means he blesses to us ; one 
is, that we may idolize none of them, that we may prize them 
all, not knowing which may have the commission to do us good. 
Now, my dear daughter, I commit you to Him who " carries 
the lambs in his bosom, and gently leads those that are with 
young." Your affectionate parent in Him, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

January 25, 1780. 

I regret my dear daughter's illness the more, from a fear that 
she may not have all that attention which is needful as matters now 
stand. But I trust the Lord will make up every want, and with 
his love sweeten every dispensation. May you feel him ever 
nigh ! I think if you would live more by faith, you would enjoy 
more comfort. Insisting upon the direct act of faith, especially 
when barren, dry, and tempted, is often of great use ; it 
strengthens the mind, increases confidence in a pardoning God, 
and frequently brings comfort, by breaking the power of tempta- 
tion : but this is a lesson the Lord himself alone can enable us to 
learn practically, for it is acting contrary to our feelings, our 
fears, the suggestions of Satan, and the reasonings of unbelief. 
The Lord has already done much for you, and will perfect what 
concerns you. 

In order to our spiritual prosperity, it is of great consequence 
not only to obtain, but to keep, a clear view of our privileges as 
Christians ; and to fix it in our minds that, as all these blessings 
are purchased for us by Christ, the Lord intends that we should 
enjoy them, and is pleased when we plead for them, and are im- 
portunate. He delights in the prosperity of his people. May 
he soon give you to experience the fulness of gospel promises, 
that you may " rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in 
every thing give thanks." You know what satisfaction this 
would give to your parent. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 165 

Through the goodness of my God, my health is much better 
than usual, and my mother and sister are very tolerable. Lady 
G. was with me on Saturday : looked well, and was in good 
health and spirits. The disagreeable affair of our being examined 

on oath about Miss D 's money is to happen very soon. May 

the Lord give clearness of thought, power of expression, and 
firmness of mind. Some of the lawyers have objected to admit- 
ting Lady G. or me as witnesses, as they believe we are as mad 
as Miss D. I do not expect we shall be able, by our evidence, 
to convince them that we are not mad ; but we should wish to 
acquit ourselves in a rational manner. 

Your affectionate parent, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Edinburgh, Feb. 7, 1780. Wednesday morning. 

I intended writing a few lines to my dear daughter on Monday, 
but was prevented by being obliged to " entertain strangers" the 
whole day ; particulars about whom I will communicate when I 
obtain as much leisure as is necessary to explain matters. Yes- 
terday I was rather unwell, and was obliged to have company 
both to dinner and supper. The latter I shun as much as pos- 
sible ; but I find there is no general rule but what must occa- 
sionally admit of an exception. In all my God is good, and is 
indeed a strong hold in the day of trial and difficulty. He 
strengthens me with strength in the inner man ; and when un- 
common exertions are needful, either as head of a family or as 
a Christian, "he giveth power to the faint, and increases strength 
to them that have no might." "Who is a God like unto him!" 
His faithfulness is a shield and buckler unto me ; because he 
hath caused me to set my love upon him, therefore he sets me 
up on high. " O to grace how great a debtor !" May my life 
praise him ! and may you have more cause than ever to adore 
his goodness. O trust in him with all your heart, and " he will 
be as a "place of broad rivers unto you," wide and deep. 

But I must not forget what you noticed in your last letter. 
Great attention is to be paid, not only to the commands but even 
to the inclinations of a parent. I see many inconveniences at- 
tending either your having a maid or wanting one ; but if the 
particulars you are to mention to Lord H — n do not give him a 
different view of the matter, I fancy you will see it as a duty to 
do what will make him easy, and at the same time to do it in the 
way that will give you least trouble. But here I am interrupted, 
and must conclude. The Lord be your teacher in all things, 
and encompass you about with his favour as with a shield. 
Your affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 



166 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 



TO LADY H. HOPE. 



February 26, 1780. 

I take the first opportunity, after my fatigue of body and mind 
is over, to thank my dear daughter for so kindly interesting her- 
self in what concerned her parent. It is now over, the new- 
married couple left me yesterday forenoon, intending to reach 
Greenlaw at night, Newcastle this night ; and Mr. C. promised 
he would not travel on Sunday, though greatly hurried, but 
would go decently to church. This was a piece of work in 
which I little expected to be employed ; but I really think the 
Lord put it into my hand, and stirred me up to a most vigorous 
exertion of body and mind, and gave me a wonderful measure of 
health. The part I was to take in it was clearly set before me ; 
and it appeared to me that religion would suffer, I mean be un- 
justly blamed, if I refused to act ; so that what I did, I did for 
the Lord's sake and for religion's sake, as well as for the con- 
venience of my relations. 

The Lord saw meet to give me favour in Mr. C.'s eyes, so 
that what I said or did was approved. He was anxious to gain 
my approbation. From a little conversation with him I clearly 
saw the way that was most likely to gain upon him, (I mean in 
order to do good to his soul,) and I took my measures accord- 
ingly, which succeeded : so that I saw the effects of it before he 
left me ; he welcomed all I said upon religion. The night be- 
fore his marriage I wrote him in a polite and kind way, saying 
what I thought was proper on the occasion, and asked his ac- 
ceptance, for a place in his library, of Mr. Robert Walker's 
Sermons, elegantly bound ; and, when time and circumstances 
would permit, begged a serious perusal of them. You would 
have been pleased with his answer. 

I cannot easily express what I feel for your kind attention in 
sending the Bible. I will give particulars after. Do, my dear 
daughter, take your own prudent way to let poor Lady Ann know 
her danger. There is, I fear, no time to lose ; I do not forget 
her, and you are ever on my mind. May all concerned be com-, 
forted, and obtain the sanctified use of what I fear will soon hap- 
pen. O that you may be upheld ! Goodness and mercy will 
follow you all the days of your life, and you will, I believe, dwell 
for ever with the Lord. Bear, then, with meekness and sweet- 
ness, the trials of life. I never entertained a thought of giving 
you up : I only regret that I do not do you more good. The 
Lord will, perhaps, make me more successful for the time to 
come. If wishes and prayers would do, your soul would grow 
as a cedar in Lebanon. Might I offer my best wish** to Lady 
Ann, though unknown 1 Tell her I hope much good is intended 
her by her illness ; that the Lord means to wean her from the 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 167 

world, and to give her more substantial blessings ; that I wish 
her to enjoy the love of the Redeemer, through faith in him, 
which will sweeten all her affliction, and carry her above it with 
a holy fortitude. 

To be ready for the footman, I am writing in a great hurry, 
and forgetting many words. Peace be with you. 

Ever your affectionate parent, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Monday, March 13, 1780. 

My dear daughter's letter I intended to have answered on 
Saturday, but was prevented. I asked Mr. W. for the sermon 
you mentioned, and he seemed very willing to let me have it, 
but was afraid he could only give me the heads, as it was not 
written, and Miss G. he believed did not hear it. 

I think the Lord will make up the loss you will sustain by 
your absence on this solemn and sweet occasion. Dr. S. came 
in on Saturday, when I was at Lady L.'s; I see his hopes are 
small of Lady Ann. May the Lord enable you to act toward 
her so as to cut off all future reflections, and greatly bless your 
attempts for her soul's good. Poor Lady G. is not well. She 
wrote me on Thursday that she was in much trouble and per- 
plexity, and begged an interest m my prayers ; to which I re- 
turned as kind a note as I could, and requested she would let me 
know, if she had the least desire to see me. She has been 
worse since ; but to-day the return of the message is, that she 
is rather better. I intend to call before I seal this. I fear she 
is meeting with some new trouble about her affair. May the 
Lord direct and guide her ! She has my prayers and sym- 
pathy. 

May he shine upon your soul, and give you to experience the 
stability and maturity of a father in Christ. It is your privilege 
to grow in grace ; and, though some situations may appear more 
favourable than others for this growth, yet we may be morally 
certain that, in every lawful situation, whatever its hinderances, 
or how many soever its difficulties, the grace of God is sufficient 
to enable us to gain all these heights and depths of conformity 
to the divine image it is his will we should attain. This is a 
comfortable thought. But we may go still farther, and rest 
satisfied that our present situation is what He that cannot err 
sees best calculated for our spiritual prosperity. This does not 
imply that we are never to make the least alteration in it. No : 
a good man's ways are ordered by the Lord ; and he appoints 
sometimes a variety of changes for him in the course of his life, 
and what he appoints he means for our good. You seem par- 
ticularly called to live by faith. This is a difficult life, but it 
brings, perhaps, more glory to God than if you walked always in 



168 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

the broad light of his countenance. Living in his will is the 
great point, whether we have much or little comfort. 

I -am pleased with what you write me of Lady H. I still hope 
that things will terminate well there. May you be faithful. 
Lady L. D.'s death was truly affecting. 

" So pass the shadowy scenes of life away." 

All flesh is grass, but how permanent are the blessings which 
Christ has purchased for his people ! How durable his love ! 
How sweet ! O what a soul-satisfying portion is he ! All fulness 
dwells in him. May you richly prove this- Ever believe me, 
my dear daughter, 
->» Your affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 

P. S. Margaret Johnston left the school 13th March. Had 
a Bible. Though not fully taught, yet very tolerably so. She 
has gone to her uncle in the west, from the necessitous circum- 
stances of her parents. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

March 17, 1780. 
I would, before now, as I promised, have written to my dear 
danghter ; but since Friday se'nnight I have not been so well, 
and have had more writing than usual upon my hands. At pre- 
sent I can spare but a few minutes to regret your want of health, 
and to assure you of my best wishes and prayers for your spiritual 
prosperity. Your situation, I know, just now is trying on seve- 
ral accounts : but you know who is with you ; you know where 
your strength lies, and how welcome you are to use it. Then 
fear not ; only believe. In proportion as you do, you will love 
and obey ; and though you are not yet all you would be, sove- 
reign grace can easily effect it. Despise not the day of small 
things ; at the same time be determined not to rest short of any 
blessing Christ has purchased for you. Use all the grace you 
have ; this is the best way to obtain more. O be faithful ! Fear 
nothing but sin : desire nothing but God. Thus fortified, you 
shall go on steadily ; thus emptied, you shall be filled with the 
fulness of Him that filleth all in all. Stagger not at the promises 
through unbelief : be strong in faith; and do not reason, "If I 
am a child of God, why am I thus 1" But, " I am a child of 
God, therefore whatever is amiss in me shall be rectified ; what- 
ever is lacking shall be supplied. In order hereto I am exhorted 
to pray always, and never faint." Be frequent and fervent at a 
throne of grace ; pray as you can, and ivhen you can, and strive 
against every hinderance. Thus doing, rest assured that the 
Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to the temple of your 
heart, and there sit as a refiner, and cleanse the blood he has not 
cleansed. Then shall you feel his sanctifying power in a greater 
measure than you have hitherto experienced, and sweetly prove 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 169 

that perfect love casteth out all fear. O that it might be now ! 
Look for it now ! 

When I began this I meant only two or three lines, intending 
the enclosed to supply my lack of service ; but in speaking or 
writing to you I always find much matter suggested, I trust by 
the Lord himself, and hope that the effects of both will prove 
it so. You see the goodness of the Lord in the accounts of 

the Alcide — what cause for thankfulness ! Lady B , I hear, 

is well. I spent much time and used many words yesterday to 

prevent Miss going to a ball of Lady W ce's, to which 

she had unhappily been engaged. I thought it would hurt her 
character, and be productive of very bad consequences. Before 
she left me she promised faithfully she would send her apology ; 
but this only to you, as it would be a pity that her intentions should 
transpire. This is a bad place, at present, for young people. 

My mother, I have reason to be thankful, is tolerable. All is 
now quiet ; and, upon a retrospective view, though I have much 
cause to remark the goodness of the Lord, I feel equal cause to 
regret that I have not been more faithful. Even this evil my 
God generally turns to my advantage, by making it a spur to 
greater activity and faithfulness against the next opportunity. 
I long to live more for God. Of late he has given me many 
occasions of acting for him, and it is truly my meat and drink in 
this respect to do his will. O to live for eternity. Eternity ! 
it is an awful thought ; let us ever keep it in view ; then shall 
we live as we ought. 

I must now conclude, after saying it some time ago occurred 
to me, that my letters, from being always on one subject, and 
written with many interruptions, must certainly be full of repe- 
titions, though you do not say so. 

May the Lord enable you " to rejoice evermore, to pray with- 
out ceasing, and in every thing to give thanks," which will give 
much satisfaction to, my dear daughter, 

Your affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 

TO LADY II. HOPE. 

March 25, 1780. 
How is my dear daughter 1 — pressing forward, I hope, in the 
good way, though hinderances strew all her road 1 No difficulty, 
no danger, need retard our progress heavenward ; sin only, that 
accursed thing, robs us of our peace, keeps us back, and inter- 
rupts that sweet communion it is our privilege to enjoy with the 
Father of our spirits. I trust you are kept looking to Jesus, 
and feel power to cast all your burthens upon him, and to com- 
mit all your ways to him in well doing. If so he will sustain 
you, he will not suffer you to be moved. Lean upon him, live 
by him, delight in him — and he will give you the desire of your 
heart. And what is that 1 I know it is conformity to your 



170 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

living Head, — a power in all things to adorn the gospel. And is 
not this the will of God concerning you 1 Undoubtedly it is. 
With what holy boldness then may you plead at a throne of 
grace for this self-same thing, and be importunate with God ; 
and though in so doing you may be obliged to wrestle, not only 
against flesh and blood, but also against spiritual wickedness in 
high places, yet be not dismayed ; the Lord says, " Have not I 
commanded thee 1 be strong, be not afraid, for the Lord thy God 
is with thee." Believe me, it is your privilege to say, — 

" I fear no denial, no danger I fear, 
Nor start from the trial while Jesus is near." 

And if you cannot plead thus boldly, be not discouraged : though 
often only able to offer your feeble petitions with groanings that 
cannot be uttered, yet these will find acceptance for the dear Re- 
deemer's sake ; he will not cast out the prayer of the desti- 
tute ; God is said to put the tears of his people into a bottle. 
What encouragement to those that are of a fearful heart ! Jesus 
says, " Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy-laden, 
and I will give you rest." He carries the lambs in his bosom, 
and gently leads those that are with young ; those who are 
oppressed, tempted, tried, grieved. What can we ask or wish 
more 1 Only an increase of faith to believe all the Lord hath 
said. May my dear daughter be blessed with this, and made to 
rejoice in the free, the full salvation of Jesus. 

I feel him precious, my soul delights itself in him, I find my 
supreme happiness consists in union with him. O what bless- 
ings are consequent upon it. He often permits me to lean upon 
his bosom ; " I taste his love, and cast the world behind," but 
still " for closer communion I pine." For greater conformity to 
him I love my heart breathes ardently. I now make no apology 
for touching a little upon the Lord's goodness to my own soul, 
as I have told yoji my motive. 

I spent about three hours with Lady G. on Thursday evening, 
when many grievances were talked and prayed over, as usual, 
except one ; this I avoided ; she is much better. I had an 
agreeable interview this week with a lad who was formerly at 
our school. He left it fully taught, and went to sea, where he 
has been for some time : he came from Dunbar (where his ship 
lies) to see his parent. He really promises well. May the 
Lord own that little seminary more and more. I hope Mr. C. 
was enabled to be profitable, and that you are supported and 
comforted under your fatigues about Lady A. May the Lord 
hear the prayers put up for her, and sweetly draw her heart and 
affections to himself; and be with you on his own day ; so prays, 
my dear daughter, 

Your affectionate parent, 

Saturday. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 171 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

April 15, 1780. 

I intended to write sooner to my dear daughter, but the kind- 
ness of Christian friends prevented it ; and now I am obliged to 
give a good deal of my time to my little charge,* as I sincerely 
desire, since the Lord has sent her here, that her stay may 
answer some important ends. 

I was pleased to receive a few lines from you, but beg you 
will never take up your pen on my account, unless when you can 
conveniently, and when you wish it on your own, as I am fully 
convinced your time is thoroughly occupied at present. Your 
labour of love will be sweetened by a belief of your being em- 
ployed agreeably to the will of your heavenly Father ; but see 
that you do not lay greater burdens upon yourself than your 
body can bear. You have my daily prayers for strength, com- 
fort, and a blessing upon your attempts for the spiritual benefit 
of her so particularly committed to your care. May the Lord 
perfectly reconcile you to his holy will in this severe dispensa- 
tion, and enable you cheerfully to give up your dear sister to 
him ; who can not only give her a very gentle dismission from 
mortality, but put a song of praise into her mouth for the comfort 
of surviving friends. This he is entreated to do. May he keep 
you in perfect peace, and through the abundance of his love raise 
you above every painful sensation. 

Affliction, more or less, is the lot of all God's people. It is a 
piece of necessary discipline for us while in the body, but if it 
works for us " a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
glory," have we any cause to complain ] Especially when, in 
the meantime, we are supported and often comforted. I trust 
he is teaching you many useful lessons in the furnace, so that 
you shall find cause to praise him both in time and in eternity. 
It is a great privilege to glorify God in the fires. This favour 
he confers upon you now : O that you may see it in this light, 
and be enabled to fall in with his gracious designs ; showing to 
all around you that the will of your God is so precious to you, 
you can sacrifice every thing to it. It is only the power of 
sovereign grace that can effect this in the human heart. The 
natural man opposes it with all his might ; but the soul that is 
truly devoted to God, while it keenly feels in the tenderest part, 
enjoys a sacred pleasure. In this costly sacrifice you can say 
with the poet, — 

" As those we love decay, we die in part, 
String after string is sever'd from the heart." 
But you can also say, — 

" Though duty does not call, 

I love my God with such a love 
That I would give him all." 

* A niece of Lady Maxwell's. 



172 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

When you find it can be received, give my best wishes to Lady 
Ann, and tell her she has daily an interest in my feeble petitions 
for every blessing her present situation calls for. 

See that you pay some attention to yourself, for the Lord's 
sake, and for his work's sake : do not bear your burthens alone. 
Jesus is willing to bear them for you ; make use of this great 
privilege. Lady G. was with me on Wednesday, when we had 
a very free and friendly conversation : and in order to form a 
proper judgment in a matter on which she wished to have my 
opinion, I had to mention a subject on which I have been silent for 
some time ; but it was done in a way that gave both of us much 
less pain than usual. To the tender care of our great High Priest, 
whose compassions fail not, I commit my dear daughter, and re- 
main her affectionate parent in Jesus, 

Saturday noon. 

TO LADV H. HOPE. 

Friday afternoon, April 21, 1780. 

I began a letter to my dear daughter on Wednesday, but 
could not get time to finish it. Thursday being fast day at 
Leith, I was thereby prevented writing, and to-day determined 
to send her a few lines. Miss N. came to me early in the fore- 
noon, with the (shall I say) melancholy intimation of your dear 
sister's dismission from mortality. She seemed so affected by 
it, I had to keep her a long time with me. But O how much 
mercy is mixed with this painful dispensation ! How literally 
has the Most High answered the prayers put up to him for your- 
self and the dear saint now in glory. Your letter, together with 
other circumstances, leaves me no room to doubt of the place of 
her eternal abode. 

O how good is God in giving you strength to go through the 
fatigues of attending a sick and dying bed ; in giving you 
grace to be faithful to the interests of an immortal soul ; in 
attaching her so much to you, and thereby more powerfully 
inclining her to listen to you ; and at last, not only giving you 
her soul, but enabling her to leave some evidence of its safety 
for the comfort of surviving friends. May gratitude fill your 
heart, and praise employ your lips. May her aged parent be 
supported under the heavy stroke, and, by the blessing of the 
Most High, find the fruits of righteousness brought forth by it. 
I feel for Lady B. ; may she enjoy suitable support. 

And now, my dear daughter, suffer maternal tenderness to sug- 
gest a few hints. In your dear sister's affliction you were ena- 
bled to manifest Christian fortitude and patience ; much sweet 
resignation will now be expected from you, — glorify your God 
by showing it. Let all around you see that your God liveth ; 
and that as He is the object of your superlative love, no earthly 
loss can dry up the spring of your consolation, or make you 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 173 

repine at his will. In the time of grief we are apt sinfully to 
neglect the body ; but on these occasions a proper attention to it 
for the Lord's sake is one proof of resignation to his divine dis- 
posals. See that you dwell above. When you meditate on your 
dear departed sister, look not down to the grave ; the former 
spiritualizes and elevates the soul ; the latter depresses it, and 
sinks the spirits. One stream of earthly comfort is cut off — let 
your heart now apply to the fountain ; and may you much more 
than ever find Jesus " a friend that sticketh closer than a 
brother." At present your body and mind are worn out with 
fatigue ; — impose no long or rigorous services upon either ; 
neither be surprised if you find for a time little strength in the 
one or power of attention in the other. Be much in believing, 
look to Jesus, and select particular and suitable passages of 
Scripture for your meditation. This will comfort and occupy 
the mind, which will be too apt to dwell on one theme if left to 
its choice. May your pace heavenward be much quickened ; 
may the Lord continue his goodness to you, and thereby enable 
you to comfort others : many eyes will be upon you at present, 
who, I hope, will reap benefit from your example. 

From want of time to think and write accurately, this is a 
very confused and hasty production ; but flows from a heart de- 
sirous of conveying comfort to a beloved daughter, whose spi- 
ritual prosperity is dear to her affectionate parent in Jesus, 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

April 26, 1780. 

I doubt not my dear charge finds now, as formerly, that her 
God hath not brought her into the thorny path to slay her ; but 
to prove her, to try her, and to do her good. 

God is good in all his dispensations, equally so when he takes 
as when he gives. Trials sometimes bring us into heaviness ; 
but even then the soul may be prospering. The refreshing 
showers are as needful for the health and growth of the plant 
as the warm beams of the midday sun : and though an inter- 
vening cloud for a time may prevent his shining, yet still he 
goes on ; he runs steadily his appointed circuit. In like man- 
ner the soul, though for a season, if need be, is in heaviness, 
and the clouds of affliction in a degree obscure the bright light 
of God's countenance, yet she stands not still, her motion hea- 
venward continues. This is a comfortable thought, and we 
should meditate upon it in the dark and cloudy day. I hope 
the Lord will bring you nearer to himself by this trial ; then 
your gain will be great. May he save you from all coldness 
of affection, from all dissipation of mind, from every unneces- 
sary desire ; and in the pursuit of more of the divine life, may 
he give you to enjoy those blessings the world knows not of: — 
these last I truly prove. But I must conclude. 



174 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Both my mother and sister are confined to bed ; I am blessed 
with wonderful health, and in tender mercy the Lord has put a 
keener edge than ever upon my spirit to live wholly to himself, 
to watch continually unto prayer, and to pray that I may watch. 
I am also blessed with a deep consciousness of my continual 
shortcomings : — how good is God ! When you can write easily 
I shall be glad to know how you do. My little charge has not 
been well, but is better. That you may " rejoice evermore, 
pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks," is the 
desire of 

Your affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 

Wednesday. 

P. S. Poor William has been ill these eleven days. In the 
midst of so much bodily affliction in the family, what matter 
of thankfulness that I am from health enabled to minister unto 
them all ! 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

April, 1780. 

I would have inquired after my dear charge's prosperity be- 
fore now, but my family has increased by the addition of my 
eldest brother and his daughter. This, together with head- 
aches, has kept me silent, though not forgetful of one who is 
often the subject of thought and prayer. May He whom of 
late more than ever I have proved the hearer and answerer 
of prayer, register the daily petitions put up for you by your 
parent in the Lord, and in his own time, which is the best, 
answer them ; then all your spiritual complaints will be banished. 
God shall be unto you as a place of broad rivers, wide and deep, 
and you shall walk with him, Enochlike : and, as the king's 
daughter, be all glorious within. Rest assured this is the will 
of your heavenly Father concerning you ; plead his promises, 
believe his word, and you shall feel it : be of good courage, 
" delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desire 
of your heart ; commit thy way unto him, and he shall bring it 
to pass." I heard a profitable sermon on these words last night : 
and on Wednesday evening one from, " Who is this that cometh 
up from the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved ?" 0, if I could 
convey to you the happiness I experienced under it ! The Lord 
was present of a truth ; I sat under his shadow with delight : his 
fruit was more than sweet to my taste, while he appeared alto- 
gether lovely, and gave me powerfully to feel the attractions of 
redeeming love. May you feel him thus nigh, when you read 
of his undeserved kindness to your parent. 

But I fear, in your present trying situation, the enemy will 
whisper hard things of God. O believe him not, but though you 
should be tried to the uttermost, from without and from within, 
still trust, and believe all is well and wisely ordered ; that though 
** weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning :" 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 175 

this you are warranted to believe, because you love God, and are 
daily endeavouring, through faith in Jesus, to do and suffer all 
his holy will : the present dispensation calls for the latter in an 
eminent degree ; may you feel constant resignation, and be ena- 
bled to say, " It is the Lord, let him do what seemethhim good." 
This temper will glorify him, and increase your own comfort, 
and also make you more useful to others. I know not whether 
what I now write suits the present frame of your mind ; I shall 
be glad if it does, and still more so if it affords the smallest 
consolation. 

I took a long airing on Thursday with Lady G. ; she was 
poorly, both in body and mind ; our intercourse was free and 
sweet. My little niece seems a fine girl, but will require much 
attention and care. O that I may be faithful and successful. I 
felt reluctant to the charge, from different causes ; but I look 
upon it as a piece of work given me to do by the Lord, and, as 
such, would sweetly submit. She has been much indulged, and 
mostly brought up with her brothers, which has given a mascu- 
line tincture to her manners, and strength, and self-will ; yet she 
seems inclined to listen to me. A gilt Turkey Bible has pro- 
cured me some influence with her ; which I hope will increase ; 
to my daughter I am thus particular. I think you have been 
of use to Mrs. H. 

May you be strengthened with strength from on high, in body 
and mind, and be kept in perfect peace in the midst of many 
trials, and to-morrow feel the word of your God, spirit and life, 
in private and secret ; and also be blessed with the gift of con- 
vincing speech. So prays, my dear daughter, 

Your affectionate parent in the best of bonds, 

Saturday. D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Taymouth, Sept. 4, 1780. 

I did not mean to write to you till I heard from you ; but I am 
importuned to do it by this post, that you might apply to Lord 
Hopetown in favour of Mr. Y., for the parish of Bathgate, va- 
cant at present by the death of Mr. W. I make no doubt it is 
engaged already, as he has been in a dying state for some time. 
Dr. W. and Dr. H. seem to have it much at heart to provide 
for Mr. Y. I believe he is a good man, and might answer very 
well in a small quiet parish. I suppose all the advantage that 
would accrue from an application just now to Lord Hopetown, 
would be an opening for preferment on some future occasion, if 
he be properly recommended : I mean by persons not suspected 
of enthusiasm. 

I should be glad to hear how you made out your journey, and 
how Lady G. has been since. You have both enjoyed all that 



176 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

air and exercise can do for you this summer ; I hope both will 
be benefited by it. 

I move on here in my confined sphere, with little of either ; 
but it is the sphere of present duty, and that makes it pleasant. 
It is a great privilege to be permitted to smooth, in any degree, 
the path of old age, to attend the dying bed, and to attempt to 
lessen the distresses of that painful period. that at last my 
dear parent may have a gentle dismission from mortality, with a 
bright setting sun. 

I have been much distressed with the toothache since you went, 
even to agony ; but cannot express how much of the presence of 
Jesus I enjoyed at the same time ; indeed it beggars all expres- 
sion, for faith seemed lost in sight, and hope in full fruition. O 
what a friend does the believer enjoy in Christ ! What cause 
have I to praise him ! 

" My God, the spring of all my joys, 
The life of my delights ! 
The glory of my brightest days, 
And comfort of my nights." 

Truly I may say so ; but I want more of his image, more of his 
mind, more of his Spirit : my heart pants for more power to 
promote his cause, to live to his glory. I make no apology for 
writing thus freely of myself ; you know I mean by it to lead 
you to admire the Bestower, not the enjoy er ; to increase your 
love to him, and trust in him. But that you may not suppose 
my joys are without any alloy, I must add, I have endured most 
severe inward conflicts, which even the sensible presence of 
Christ could not remove. Indeed, it made him more precious 
to me ; I found my own weakness, and that without him I should 
have been consumed in a moment by the power and malice of 
my foes. With love to Lady G. and a maternal blessing to 
Lady H. H., I continue, while she wishes it, her affectionate 
parent in Jesus, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Tuesday, September 19, 1780. 
I have not been able till now to inform my dear daughter that, 
on Sunday morning, the 17th, between twelve and one, I lost 
my dear parent.* From indisposition of body, and want of 

* On this mournful occasion, Lady Maxwell made the following entry 
in her Diary : — 

" September 27. Words cannot express what I have gone through since 
last date. It has been a time of great outward distress, occasioned by the 
death of my much loved and most affectionate parent. Her advanced 
years, and an affliction of some months, might have prepared me for her 
dissolution. In a measure I was led to apprehend it, yet when it came it 
was truly painful to endure. My judgment and I hope my will acquiesced ; 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 177 

proper recollection, I cannot enter into particulars. My nature 
has felt keenly ; and though I hope my judgment and will acqui- 
esced in the dispensation, yet there was a great struggle between 
nature and grace. She, I trust, is with the Lord. 

" Her languishing head is at rest, 

Its thinking and aching are o'er ; 
The quiet, immovable breast 

Is heaved by affliction no more : 
The heart is no longer the seat 

Of trouble and torturing pain ; 
It ceases to flutter and beat, 

It never shall flutter again." 

These words have passed so often through my mind since 
Sunday, that they have flowed almost unintentionally from my 
own pen. Farewell ! Remember me to Lady G. and believe me, 
Your affectionate parent in Jesus, 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Edinburgh, November 4, 1780. 

I found my dear daughter's letter last night on coming home. 
1 had intended going to Glasgow on Wednesday for different 
reasons, but was taken ill on Tuesday morning, and confined for 
some days, which prevented it. 

Could I with propriety have avoided it, I would not have come to 
town this winter. There is a sad blank in my house, and my 
dear mother's image is ever present with me. I mourn inward- 
ly for her, yet I trust I am resigned to the dispensation that de- 
prived me of her. Yes, I think the Lord did well and wisely ; 
and I also think I do not grieve his Spirit in feeling the loss of 
a much loved parent. Praised be my God, I can believe she 
is with Christ. 

I had much retirement in the country, and I trust good was 
done to others. I took Romaine with me, and kept him diligent 
in visiting the sick, giving money to the poor, instruction to the 
ignorant, distributing books, and exhorting and examining on 
Sunday evenings, — and you would be surprised with his talents. 
Sometimes we had seventy or eighty hearers. They show a 

but my feelings revolted. Nature felt keenly ; and, what added greatly to 
my sorrow, she was not able, when near death, to speak to the glory of 
God, to triumph over all her doubts and fears. Yet I cannot doubt of her 
eternal happiness. She sweetly resigned her breath without sigh or groan, 
and, I trust, foil asleep in Jesus as one of the saints. ' They that sleep 
in Jesus will God bring with him.' A sable cloud of grief has overspread 
my mind : my health has also suffered ; my spirits and nerves have been 
much affected. O that I may glorify God under this bereaving dispensa- 
tion ! I attempt to roll my burthen upon him, and believe he will not 
suffer me to be materially moved. The surface of my soul is much agi- 
tated, but at bottom arc the grounds of safety, comfort, and joy, as usual. 
The present is a season of heaviness through manifold temptations. O 
that I may be brought out of them all as gold tried in the fire !" 
8* 



178 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

wonderful desire to be instructed, though, I am sorry to say it, 
there is the most inconceivable ignorance among them. 

am much hurried this morning, and have only time to say 
that I hope your soul and body are better. I think you should 
-come in, unless you see solid reasons against it ; if so, you will 
not be a loser by your stay. The Lord direct you in all things, 
prays your affectionate parent, D. M. 

P. S. I am better ! Jesus is with me ; yet it is a season of 
temptation of various kinds. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Edinburgh, November 15, 1780. 

I wished and intended to write my dear daughter on Tuesday, 
but was prevented from different causes, which I regret because 
I think she is rather low at present, and I fear temptation is pre- 
vailing. Why are you cast down 1 Why is your soul disquieted 
within you 1 If you are in heaviness through manifold tempta- 
tions, you know this is permitted by your heavenly Father for 
wise purposes : and, by his blessing, I hope it will produce salu- 
tary effects. 

There are two observations made by that good man Halibur- 
ton, which I think are applicable to your case, so far as I know 
it. They are, " that we must never judge of our state by what 
we feel in the time of distress and heaviness. That in order to 
form a just estimate either of ourselves or others, we must ba- 
lance the present grace with the present temptations, otherwise 
we shall always undervalue it." You have lately, I see by your 
letters, had severe trials, both, perhaps, outward and inward. 
Now if the grace which was given you enabled you to sustain 
them without murmuring against God, it was greater, upon the 
whole, than that which before enabled you to rejoice. I am not 
surprised that these pressures weigh down your soul, and in a 
degree darken it for the psesent ; and though you should even 
for a season lose the direct witness of justification, it will not be 
long till the Sun of righteousness break out again and shine bright 
upon our soul — perhaps to-day, perhaps while you read this ; 
for he is a God at hand, and not afar off. But take care that 
you do not grieve his Spirit by indulging gloomy thoughts. 
" Man was not born in shades to lie." Arise, and shake your- 
self from the dust : what strength you have, use it for God, and 
he will increase it : work your work by times, and in his time 
he will give you a full reward. 

Never be afraid of hurting me by any thing you impart to 
me ; always write and speak freely when you wish it ; perhaps 
reading the enclosed may animate and comfort you. 

The Lord will, I hope, make up your loss in not getting in on 
this solemn occasion ; it is a precious ordinance. Can the annals 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 179 

of time or records of history produce such an instance of love 1 
The Lord of glory dying for sinful man ! 

" Lamb of God, was ever pain, 
Was ever love like thine." 

Lady G. is looking wonderfully well, and is in good spirits. 

I have set a small subscription on foot just now for my chair- 
man, John Thompson, who has lost his all by fire on Sunday 
last, except the clothes he had on, and his chair. May I put 
down your name for a small matter 1 ? — I have been confined 
since Sunday night with a cold, but not to bed. I hope your 
maid tarries with you. With maternal affection I remain, my 
dear daughter, 

Your parent in the Lord, 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Saturday, November 25, 1780. 

Though feeble and languid from yesterday's affliction in my 
head and stomach, I wish to write you a few lines, as I see by 
your letter that you are very low. I think, from what you write 
me, it proceeds partly, if not altogether, from your body. No- 
thing so weakens the body, and of course the nerves and spirits, 
as the complaint you mention. I hope by proper care, and the 
blessing of the Most High upon the means used, all will be set 
soon to rights again. I hope you take light and nourishing 
things : jellies, strong broths, chocolate, &c, &c. If your 
stomach will digest it, a bit of solid food, with some glasses of 
red port ; if too heavy cold, physicians say that a small portion 
of warm water put to it makes it lighter for a weak stomach, and 
still more nourishing. I am glad you are able to go abroad : take 
care of cold. O endeavour to be sweetly resigned to the will of 
your God, whatever aspect it wears ; he means all should work 
for your good. Do not dwell upon disagreeable events, either 
past or present ; consider how much worse things might be, and 
from thence draw matter of thankfulness. 

Parting with a dear friend, after five months' sweet enjoyment, 
would no doubt try your tender feelings ; but remember how un- 
expectedly God bestowed such a long time of comfort, and rather 
thank him for it, than mourn inordinately when separated only 
for a time from your friend ; and do not forget that wherever you 
are the eternal God is your refuge — underneath you are his ever- 
lasting arms. How safe, then, and how privileged ! And though I 
confess the want of a Christian friend to speak to when in trou- 
ble is a great privation, yet you must remember, Jesus is ever 
with you. In all your afflictions he is afflicted ; he is a friend 
that stickcth closer than a brother ; his ear is open to your every 
prayer ; he hears your sighs ; and if it can afford you any con- 
solation, remember you have an affectionate parent, within a few 



180 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

miles, who wishes to give you every proof in her power of her 
maternal love. 

Lady G. was with me on Wednesday, she looked well and in 
good spirits, and much satisfied with her intended journey. She 
said she had had a headache for some days ; but her looks did 
not indicate any complaints. I saw her in the morning after she 
was in the chaise, and she looked well and cheerful ; had a fine 
day, and was to be at Selkirk at night, at Longtown on Friday, 
and Penrith on Saturday; Mr. J. goes that length with her. 
Mrs. N. is just gone, after sitting an hour with me ; she also is 
well and in good spirits. I have just received your letter ; am 
happy to see by it you are better, and I hope that you will wax 
stronger and stronger in body and soul. The guinea was most 
unexpected ; please to return grateful respects. The Lord has 
wonderfully succeeded my little attempt for the chairman. 

Your fears are caused by the weak state of your spirits and 
nerves, and also your bad dreams. I am no stranger to either, 
especially distressing dreams. An increase of faith and love is 
the best recipe. Keep your mind easy ; be not too rigorous in 
your exactions from either mind or body at present. Your path 
of duty, just now, is to suffer the will of God ; when he gives 
you more health and strength he will expect you should do it : 
rest satisfied he will never try you above what you are able. 

It is by no means an uncommon temptation to be cast down, 
instead of being animated by bright examples of the power of 
God. I myself have formerly felt it ; but strive against it. 
And now, my dear daughter, farewell. May the Lord disap- 
point all your fears, and exceed your expectations, prays 

Your affectionate parent in Jesus, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Edinburgh, December 6, 1780. 
I was afraid my dear daughter's silence was owing to her situa- 
tion being no better than when she wrote before, and am sorry to 
see my suspicions have been too just. I have no doubt but all 
is in mercy, and am equally certain that the Lord will not try 
yon above what you are able, because he hath said it ; neither 
will he, I trust, permit you to bring any reproach upon his holy 
name. Resignation is what he chiefly calls you to at present, 
without reasoning upon what is past, present, or to come. Pray 
for a silent spirit. Say not, " Why is it thus ?" But, " Lord, 
what thou wilt, and how thou wilt, only make me altogether 
thine." This is what you wish, and this is the will of God con- 
cerning you. How often have you prayed for this ! and if the 
Lord is taking his own way to answer your prayers, and carry 
on his work in your soul, should you not be satisfied 1 At pre- 
sent, I am persuaded, the state of your nerves and spirits is the 



LIFE OF LADV MAXWELL. 181 

cause 01 most of your distress : the former being out of order 
clouds the mind, depresses the spirits, unhinges the whole frame, 
cuts asunder the sinews of all active endeavours, either for the 
present world or futurity, incapacitates for just reasoning either 
with ourselves or others, and often leads to the most erroneous 
conclusions. On all these accounts, there is not only a propri- 
ety in but necessity for avoiding all investigation or examination 
of our spiritual state till the sky clears, and the clouds scatter, 
and the nerves and spirits have recovered their proper tone. 
The Lord, I hope, will bless the means you are using for this 
end. I am sorry you should apprehend that confinement will be 
necessary for months ; if it is, should not you try a chamber 
horse 1 Is not porter too strong for your stomach, without ex- 
ercise ? It is for mine. Whatever does not digest creates flatu- 
lency, and greatly increases these panics and unpleasant sensa- 
tions you mention. Even port wine I find frequently heavy 
upon my stomach. 

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by a too great attachment to 
the creature. I used to think you quite free here. O seek and 
find all your happiness in God. Be satisfied to have or want 
the creature as he chooses. It is this only that procures the 
truest enjoyment of worldly good. I trust your captivity will 
soon be turned, and a song of praise put in your mouth. All the 
painful feelings you mention I have experienced at different 
times, and have also been favoured with wonderful victories over 
them when I least expected it. I mention this for your en- 
couragement. I have been unwell since I wrote last with 
various complaints ; and to-day much so with a headache. The 
school account has been ready many months, but a point of de- 
licacy prevented my sending it ; and in my last I entirely forgot 
to say that I wished you might do nothing in money matters but 
what was perfectly convenient. Your charities, I suppose, have 
been more extensive this last six months than usual, and there- 
fore, I think, the £5 due to the poor at last term may be dispensed 
with, as my last remittance is not all expended. I must con- 
clude, after saying I hope nothing I have here said will hurt you. 
You never mentioned a Miss S.'s dependent state, that I recol- 
lect. When you can easily write, shall be glad to hear how you 
do. Look every minute for deliverance, and ever believe me, 
Your affectionate parent in Jesus, D. M. 



December 25, 1780. 

I would before now have answered my dear daughter's letter, 

but I have had a cold, which afflicted me a good deal, and has 

confined me these ten days past, part of the time to bed. I 

could only return a verbal message by the servant yesterday ; 



l83 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

to-day I am rather better, but my eyes have been much affected, 
which must be an apology for a short letter. 

I am very much indebted to you and Lady G., as are the stu- 
dents, for contributing so cheerfully toward their support. I do 
not see I could with any propriety give them wine, as it is the 
necessaries, not the delicacies of life, with which I mean to 
supply them, and even that only in order to enable them to pur- 
sue their studies : I shall therefore pay into their stock £1 5s. 
which, I think you say, Lady G. values the wine at, and also 
the guinea and half in my hand, and may the Lord bless and 
smile upon the feeble attempt made for his glory. I do think it 
is a capital charity, and if I were rich would certainly do some- 
thing toward establishing a fund for it.* 

Your complaints of yourself, my dear madam, may be just, 
and they may not : but these feelings seldom hurt us if they do 
not degenerate into despondency. If they do, they prove perni- 
cious, because they then weaken our hands, and as it were cut 
asunder the sinews of our endeavours to get free from them ; 
but if they prove a spur to prayer, believing, and activity, they 
answer valuable ends. The most holy, faithful, and fruitful 
Christians have reason to be ashamed before God that they come 
so far short of what they ought to be, and might be. Even they, 
while in the body, are at times in danger of sinking into supine- 
ness of spirit, and of thus becoming slothful. We must not 
cease crying, " Evermore quicken us, O Lord, and we will call 
upon thee ; draw us, and we will run after thee." 

Now that the year is drawing near a close, may I ask, How 
stands your book of spiritual accounts ? You have had many 
mercies, many helps, many trials ; out of some of the latter you 
have been delivered ; others are permitted, for wise ends, to 
remain. Give no answer to my query unless it suits you : but 
believe my daily prayer ascends for your spiritual prosperity, 
and that of your amiable friend. If Lady T. H. is with you, I 
hope she will receive lasting benefit. I find Baxter profitable. 
Smith's book, I think, may do good : I mean to circulate it 
among my young friends. In some places he is too minute, 
and descends beneath the dignity of his subject ; in others he is 
hardly enough guarded, and some readers may find fault. 

But I must have done, after wishing Lady G. and you the 
possession of every blessing the birth of Christ has procured for 
sinners ; and as many returns of the season as shall be for the 
glory of God, the benefit of mankind, and the profit and comfort 
of your own souls. So prays in sincerity, my dear madam, 
Your ever affectionate, D. M. 

* This alludes to another of her ladyship's charities. She for many 
years contributed toward the support of some of the pious divinity students, 
in the University of Edinburgh, when she found their circumstances were 
such as to require assistance. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 183 

The selection from her ladyship's papers for this year, shall 
be closed by the following extracts from her diary : — 

" December 4. I think my soul has suffered lately from two 
causes. The first, a want of full resignation to the dispensation? 
of Providence : the second, too great fears about worldly things : 
this had nearly degenerated into anxiety. I detected the work 
ings of this evil while in the house of God. My intention was 
good : I wished to manage my temporal affairs with discretion, 
that in nothing the gospel might be blamed. But when in any 
thing we exceed, we err. The apostle says, ' Be careful for 
nothing : but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with 
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God,' Phil, 
iv, 6. Here is plain duty ; that performed, rest there and leave 
all to God. But how easy to slide into anxiety. This tempta- 
tion assumes the appearance of a laudable concern about worldly 
things, and is not easily discerned. Holy Father, in all things 
may I be taught of thee ! For some days I have feared that 
I was not so zealous as usual in attempting to do good : I doubt 
not in this my hands have been weakened by the prevalence of 
the above mentioned temptation. 

" 25. The Lord is good. He still favours me with de- 
lightful enjoyment of himself, and gives me to know him as the 
God who heareth prayer, and who performs all things for me. 
He has wrought out a great deliverance for me, though not in 
the way 1 expected and had attempted, and which did succeed 
agreeably to the views and desires I then had : but from several 
causes my views and desires were suddenly changed, while I 
was kept much in prayer for direction from on high, and for 
submission to the divine will. Suddenly, matters took a very 
unlooked-for turn, and deliverance was sent me from a very 
unexpected quarter. My views and desires were also made 
entirely to correspond with that mode of deliverance appointed, 
I trust, by Him who cannot err. All who were immediately con- 
cerned were made willing to fall in with my inclinations, though 
contrary to their own interests, in so remarkable a degree, that I 
concluded, surely this is the Lord's doing. Yet it was so oppo- 
site to what I had thought only a few days before was the will 
of God, that it had almost proved a stumbling block. I plead 
earnestly with the Lord that I might be preserved from evil 
reasoning ; and that the enemy might not be permitted to gain 
any advantage over me, by suggesting that God did not hear 
me, neither direct my steps ; but that I was left to mistake his 
will, and to follow my own unsettled inclinations. In this respect 
my God has been tender of me ; my mind has been kept in 
peace, free from unbelieving fears, and unprofitable reasonings. 
I am perfectly satisfied with what has occurred. I have also 
felt a grateful sense of the goodness of my God, and my trust in 
him is hereby strengthened. I have had sweet but short visits 
from Jesus, and have found him truly precious. 



184 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

" 30. I have devoted an hour and half for the purpose of 

taking a retrospective view of this year — of the Lord's dealings 
with my soul — of the mercies received — the returns made — of 
outward trials and inward conflicts — of deliverances from them — 
and of my progress in the ways of God. Upon an impartial 
inquiry I saw I had received many mercies, had gone through 
many temptations, and had experienced many deliverances from 
them ; had enjoyed a good measure of bodily health, with a 
sensibility of my obligations to God for it, and strong desires to 
improve it to his glory. I have enjoyed, in general, constant 
desires for an increase of grace, for the full accomplishment of 
the promises relative to sanctification, and these desires have 
been steadily breathed forth in prayer, though not always with 
the same degree of frequency and fervour. Through the greater 
part of this year a degree of uncertainty, with respect to the 
state of my soul, as it relates to the blessing of sanctification, has 
frequently perplexed me, and I believe has deprived me of much 
comfort I might otherwise have enjoyed. The use I endeavoured 
to make of this trial was, to cry more earnestly to the Lord 
for the full accomplishment of the promises : that he would shine 
upon his work in my heart, and give me to see light in his light ; 
that I might give all the glory to him, while I took the comfort 
to myself. I have seen and felt more of the emptiness of the 
creature than formerly, and have had more power steadily to 
confess God than ever. Upon the whole I hope, if any thing, 
I have rather gained ground this year ; though I am deeply con- 
scious that I have been very unfaithful, very unfruitful, little 
better than a cumberer of the ground. If my God sees meet to 
spare me another year, O that he may quicken me in his ways ; 
cause me to cleave to him, and to follow him fully as one of his 
witnesses for the truth ! May he ever enable me to see the way 
in which he would have me to walk." 



CHAPTER XVI.— 1781. 

Correspondence with Lady Hope — Miss Ritchie — The Hon. Miss Napier — 
Reflections on temptations — Diary continued. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Edinburgh, February 14, 1781. 
I wrote a few hasty lines last night to my dear daughter : 
having more time to-day, maternal affection inclines me to be 
more particular than I could at that time. I trust you feel the 
same degree of strength in body and mind that has been gra- 
ciously allowed for some time. One capital stream of creature 
comfort is now cut off, by the wise appointment of Him that 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 185 

cannot err. I know you would wish the strong current of affec- 
tion, which ran in that channel, now to return to the fountain : 
and surely your God wills it too. It is the best improvement 
that can be made of affliction ; and O, what gainers are those 
who thus improve it ! They are wise for themselves, they are 
wise for others, and they are wise in the estimation of God. In 
order to be thus wise much prayer is needful ; peculiarly so in 
these seasons, because the emptiness of created good generally 
then appears in a very clear point of view, and the heart feels 
more disunited from the things of time, more susceptible of 
divine impressions, and more desirous of being closely united to 
what appears a substantial, a lasting good, of which neither our 
own death, nor that of others, can deprive us. From these 
causes, the prayers of the afflicted are more free from worldly 
desires, are offered up with more fervour, and are, I believe, 
more acceptable to the Most High, than those that ascend in the 
sunshine of worldly prosperity. To use a plain simile, the iron 
is hot, and the hammer moulds it more easily than when it is 
cold. May the Lord pour a spirit of prayer upon my dear 
daughter at this time, and make her frequent and fervent at a 
throne of grace ; that she may come out of the furnace more 
pure, and sensibly prove her affliction bringing forth the peace- 
able fruits of righteousness. 

There is one device of Satan to which I fear you may be ex- 
posed just now, and from which you may suffer ; and therefore, 
with the freedom of a parent solicitous for your profit and com- 
fort, I would caution you against it. Do not dwell upon the 
distressing thought of not having obtained the evidence you 
wished of your dear father's eternal welfare. This often dimi- 
nishes the Christian's comfort, grieves the Spirit of God, and 
proves a fruitless source of pain. When the thought occurs 
carry it to God, and by prayer entreat him, if agreeable to his 
holy will, to give you that persuasion of your parent's happiness 
that will satisfy you ; and if denied, to give you power to leave 
it with himself, who is the Judge of all the earth, and who will 
do right. The Lord, in some cases, gives the former ; and when 
that has been for wise ends denied, bestows the latter ; and may 
he give you what he sees best for you. 

He loves you better than you believe, and will make all work 
for your good : I fear that both your body and mind will sink in 
a degree ; be not surprised at it, nor too rigorous in your exac- 
tions from either. At present you are called to believe, to love, 
to suffer. When stronger, active service will be expected ; but 
not till then. I hope a proper attention will be paid to the body 
for the soul's sake. If you look on me as a parent, see that you 
use me as such, by writing me freely, and telling me if in any 
way, except by prayer, I can help you. The eternal God be 
your refuge, and underneath you be the everlasting arms. 



186 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Lady W.'s situation calls for much sympathy; her loss is 
great : may the Lord make it up. All will feel less or more. 
This is not their rest ; how happy are those that find rest in 
Christ. When you can easily, I shall be glad to know how you 
do. According to custom, I have been much interrupted since 
I began this, which must excuse many improprieties. Believe 
me, my dear daughter, ever 

Your affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Edinburgh, March 27, 1781. 

I thank my dear daughter for her letter which I have just 
received. I was desirous to know how she did, and the more 
so, lest any thing I had said had helped to make the scale pre- 
ponderate in favour of remaining at O. H., and perhaps thereby 
hurt her health. I trust your determination was of God : it ap- 
peared to me from the beginning the most excellent way, (and in 
this path I would ever wish my dear daughter to walk) even 
without the knowledge of particular circumstances. Those you 
mention in your last do not surprise me, and still more confirm 
my judgment of the propriety of the choice you have made : that 
it is denying yourself I doubt not ; but the cup, I hope, will be 
sweetened by a sense of the presence of your God, and a con- 
sciousness of having done what you believed most for his glory. 
If the Lord make you useful in healing breaches, or preventing 
their widening, it will afford you more pleasing sensations than 
the Bath journey could have given you : considering the service 
done to others, beside the claim given you to the blessing pro- 
mised to the peace-makers. Be not discouraged though you 
cannot pray as you would ; perhaps the Holy Spirit never more 
effectually helps our infirmities in this w r ay than when we feel 
as if entirely unable to make known our wants by prayer and 
supplication : still continue to embrace the opportunities offered 
for secret prayer, and the Lord will, in his own time, give the 
spirit of the duty : in the meantime rejoice in the continual and 
•prevalent intercession of your great High Priest, w r ho is tenderly 
touched with a feeling of all your infirmities. O dwell more 
upon the rich privileges to which you stand entitled in virtue of 
your union with him. What a rich source of sacred consolation 
should this prove to you in your darkest and most disconsolate 
hours — though from weakness of body, weakness of faith, re- 
maining corruption, the power of temptation, and the force of 
various trials, the joyous sense of it may not always be your 
portion. Yet Jesus remains invariably the wisdom, the right- 
eousness, the sanctification, and redemption of every believing 
soul. O plead your privileges in the face of Satan and sin ; for 
all is yours because ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 

But I must now mention the distress of your friend, Mrs. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 187 

Hunter, and family. The dear little infant was called home this 
morning. She bears it wonderfully. It is a very severe trial ; 
may the Lord make it up by the increase of communion with 
himself. I mean to see her this afternoon. I saw the child 
some days ago, and gave it my blessing, which felt sweet : I did 
not think its race was to be so short ; but O, how much better is 
it with the Lord than in the body ! How uncertain all worldly 
enjoyments ! that both parents may be blessed with that sweet, 
that unutterable peace which creature comforts can never be- 
stow. I have had many pains and aches for days past, but feel 
much cause of thankfulness that I am not confined to bed. Our 
neighbour, Mrs. B., is summoned hence most unexpectedly, in the 
midst of affluence, friends, and children, and her husband abroad. 
She had just purchased Mr. C.'s house. " So pass the shadowy 
scenes of life away !" While we live, may we live to the Lord ; 
when we die, may we die to the Lord ; living or dying, may we 
be the Lord's. 

Wednesday morning. Since writing the above, I have been 
near two hours with Mrs. H. with satisfaction. She is in a 
sweet, resigned spirit, though feeling much. I am indebted for 
the two copies of Alleine, and obliged by your informing me 
about Lady G. That the Lord may ever guide you by his 
counsel, and revive you by his grace, is the prayer of, my dear 
daughter, 

Your ever affectionate parent in Jesus, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

May 16, 1781. 
I hope my dear daughter got well home, and suffered no bad 
effects from her little excursion to town ; and that her mind is 
in some measure at peace concerning the subjects of conversa- 
tion then considered. With the freedom of a parent I would 
say, you require more fortitude and less feeling, for your own 
quiet and happiness. You have only to ask it, and He who 
" giveth liberally and upbraideth not" will bestow it. He hath 
promised to "withhold no manner of thing that is good from 
them that walk uprightly." " Seek," then, " that you may find ; 
knock, and it shall be opened unto you." 

But no degree of grace will exempt you from trials ; these 
we must expect while in the body, and should endeavour to bear 
them with a holy fortitude and a sweet spirit ; knowing that they 
are permitted for wise purposes, and, through grace, answer 
valuable ends. Be thankful ; the time hastens on apace when 
sin and sorrow shall be no more, when all tears shall be wiped 
from your eyes, and then you shall for ever bask in the beams 
of redeeming love. Amazing thought, that sinners should be 
thus honoured, made thus happy. O the height, the depth of 
divine love ! Who can fathom it ! Arise, then, my dear daughter, 



188 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

and shake yourself from the dust of griefs, fears, temptations, 
trials, &c, &c. Put on your beautiful garments, the spotless 
robe of Jesus' righteousness. With this he has clothed you ; 
arayed in this, bold shall you appear in the presence of God, and 
conquer death, sin, and hell. What, then, should discourage 
you ? Surely the high praises of your God should ever be in 
your mouth. 

Not being so well as to go abroad, I have not seen Mrs. H — 
since you was with her ; but I hope you convinced her that your 
objections to her proposal were well founded. 

Enclosed, for the sake of exactness, is the school account. 
Upon looking over my Bibles, I am three short of what is neces- 
sary for the children that are to leave the school at this term. 
Do you incline to send any of yours, if you have any ? if not, I 
can easily procure them here. 

Since writing the above, I received your letter, and with 
pleasure learn by it you were not the worse for being in town on 
Monday. How good is God ; to him only we are indebted for 
all our mercies ; therefore to him be all the glory. Many thanks 
for the agreeable intelligence about Lady G. I am to-day much 
afflicted with the headache and toothache, and not able to be at 
the church ; but in every situation remain my dear daughter's 
affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 

Thursday. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

May 25, 1781. 

I wrote a few hasty lines to my dear daughter on Tuesday 
morning, since which I had her letter, and was sorry it was not 
in my power to make any return to it by the chaise. Why, my 
dear madam, make any apology for doing what I have repeatedly 
asked you to do. If writing freely to me will give you any 
relief, you know it will give me satisfaction. Do not be afraid 
of afflicting me ; the Lord will not permit me to feel any more 
of that than will answer a good purpose. What good do we reap 
from friends, if they do not bear our burthens as well as partake 
of our joys \ I sincerely sympathize with you, and daily en- 
deavour to remember you before Him who is afflicted in all your 
afflictions. I wish I could administer comfort to you. I think 
many of your painful feelings at present are the result of power- 
ful temptations. The devices of Satan are many and subtle ; but 
fear him not ; fly from him, if you cannot resist him steadfastly 
by faith ; I mean, do not venture to reason with him, but fly to 
Jesus, and lean upon him as the Beloved of your soul, and he 
will give you victory. O that he would smile upon you, so as to 
banish all your fears. 

I found him sweetly near last night, while hearing a sermon 
from, " Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 189 

upon her Beloved V I would willingly suspend my own com- 
fort, could I convey to you what I then felt. But Jesus is as 
much your friend as he is mine: will he then withhold from 
you any degree of consolation he sees for your good 1 O no : 
look to him by faith, and he will supply your every want, and 
prove a friend dearer, infinitely dearer, than any earthly com- 
panion. O that while you read these few simple lines, you may 
feel him diffusing a heavenly sweetness throughout your soul, 
and thereby enable you to cast yourself and all your cares upon 
him, so that for the future you may praise him for all that is 
past, and trust him for all that is to come. Amen and amen. 
Lord, hear and answer the prayer of thy servant. 

I hope you are mistaken about the state of your soul : I doubt 
not but you are, in believing that you are an inconvenience in 
the family, and useless. May the Lord direct you in all things, 
and give you to believe that he does. Be not surprised at want 
of health at present ; the strong and continued east wind is bear- 
ing hard upon many much stronger than you. As the weather 
grows milder your complaints I hope will lessen. I know the 
weakness of your body presses down your soul, but all will be 
overruled for good. My affliction was from bile in my stomach, 
which caused continued headaches and sickness : but I am better. 
O for a heart flaming with grateful love to God for all his mer- 
cies ! O for more zeal for his glory, more activity in his cause, 
and more conformity to his will ! I had much satisfaction in 
examining the scholars that left the school at this term. En- 
closed is a note of them, and of those admitted. I am called 
away, and must conclude with my best blessing. Ever my dear 
daughter's affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M 

TO LADY H. HOPE, 

Edinburgh, June, 1781. 

Not having it in my power to do more on this occasion for my 
dear daughter, I have endeavoured to follow her with my fre- 
qifcnt petitions to the Father of mercies for her preservation, 
comfort, and usefulness upon the road ; that she might be brought 
in peace to her dear friend, after having seen and felt the loving 
kindness of her God and Saviour ; and I hope my feeble prayers 
will be heard in her behalf. What cannot God do for those that 
love and serve him ; and what has not Christ purchased for 
them ! All, all is theirs. How rich is the charter of believers, 
in virtue of their union with Jesus ; the blessings of the upper 
and nether springs are theirs ; ample provision is made for their 
every want in time ; and blessings, more than heart can con- 
ceive, are prepared for them in eternity. O who would not 
be a Christian. 

My dear daughter, in spite of sin and Satan, triumph in your 
privileges, while you, Marylike, lie low at the Redeemer's feet. 



190 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

O that he would speak from the mercy seat, and say, " Arise, 
shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen 
upon thee ;" then all your fetters would fall off, and you would 
arise, go forth, and follow the Lord with still greater vigour and 
comfort for ever. We know that " light is sown for the right- 
eous, and gladness for the upright in heart ;" and that though 
" many are the afflictions of the righteous, yet the Lord deliver- 
ed him out of them all ;" comfortable words ! The Lord has 
already made bare his holy arm in your behalf, and brought sal- 
vation to your soul. He hath brought you out of darkness into 
his marvellous light, and registered your name in his book of life. 
O what endless praise is due for these invaluable blessings ! And 
what remains, but that you follow on to know more and more 
of the goodness of the Lord ; gain greater and greater degrees 
of conformity to the divine image ; spend and be spent in the 
cause of Him who has done so much for you ; that at last you 
may have an abundant entrance ministered unto you into the 
mansions of eternal felicity, where you shall cast your crown at 
the Redeemer's feet, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb 
for ever and for ever. 

What you say in answer to my invitation satisfies me that 
my apprehension was wrong. It is an agreeable surprise to hear 
that you felt so much pain at parting with me ; I rather thought 
that such regret would have been mostly lost in desire to get 
from O. H., together with the prospect of future happiness in 
meeting with a dear friend. Indeed, from my knowledge of my- 
self, I am not prone to believe any one can be much attached to 
me. The two volumes of letters shall be sent as desired. 

As it respects the young man : from the circumstances you 
mention, I should think it would be well enough to let him have 
the money now ; it might probably be of more service at this 
time, when his expense will be great in fitting out for the East 
Indies, than three times the sum afterward, when perhaps he 
may have saved money. It is a suitable occasion for a present, 
and will save you the trouble of putting him in your will : by 
economy, perhaps, you will make it up, but, if you live and want, 
you can easily borrow that sum. This is contrary to my gene- 
ral rules, but these must always admit of exceptions. 
' Since writing the above, I have received your kind letter. 
Thanks to a gracious God for his goodness in carrying you so 
far in safety. I have been prevented writing so soon as you 
wished. I hope Mr. M.'s opinion is good, and will satisfy. 
You will read in the papers of poor Colonel W.'s death. May 
God speak to your heart with sweet power, and raise you above 
all your fears and weaknesses, and greatly sanctify your inter- 
course with Lady G. and any of his people you may meet with : 
may he also bless the waters to you, by putting healing virtue into 
them, that you may return to us with a thriving soul and healthy 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL, 191 

body. All friends here are well. I joined you with me yester- 
day in a collection made by the " Society for Propagating 
Christian Knowledge." We had a good sermon by the minister 
of Alloa upon, "The writing was, Jesus of Nazareth, king of 
the Jews." Afterward Mr. and Mrs. W. dined with me. On 
Thursday I had Mr. and Mrs. P. ; he preached on Sunday and 
Wednesday evening at Lady G.'s chapel. 

Do you not now wish me to conclude 1 Surely you may, from 
the length of this : I shall expect to hear soon, with many par- 
ticulars about yourself and Lady G. Peace be with you, my 
dear daughter. 

Your ever affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

June 22, 1781. 

My dear daughter's letter this forenoon was satisfactory ; the 
hope of another reaching her before she leaves Buxton makes 
me now sit down to write, though very unable. I have been 
exceeding ill since I wrote last, and am brought very low in 
body, though recovering. I have had an unusually severe attack 
of the bilious complaint in my stomach, with some severe symp- 
toms to which I have not been accustomed : these have left me 
very weak, and by it all my schemes of necessary economy are 
defeated. Mr. W. tells me that there is an absolute necessity of 
my doing something in the way of change of air and exercise. This 
I cannot do till August, if I live till then ; and, even then, you 
know how very inconvenient it will be : but there is no help for 
it ; the Lord, I hope, will overrule all for his glory, and my final 
good ; but enough of self. Only I must add, that you will, I 
hope, join me in praising a gracious God, who has supported and 
comforted me in this last illness, and given me fresh proofs of 
his faithfulness and goodness. 

Many thanks for writing me particularly about Lady G. and 
yourself; give my kindest love to her. O that your soul may 
prosper, and your every step be directed to the glory of God, and 
your own good ; and this I as sincerely wish for Lady G. I 
trust that you both are getting and doing good. O what is life 
unless we live to God : he only is worthy to be loved and 
served : had we a thousand lives, he deserves them all. 

Many thanks for the kind things my dear daughter says ; I 
cannot doubt but what she says comes from her heart ; yet what 
I wrote her was the genuine sentiment of my mind ; " that the 
knowledge I have of myself makes me hard of belief that any 
one can be much attached to me." She knows, and I hope be- 
lieves, how much I am interested in every thing that concerns 
her, and how willingly I would help her in every possible way ; 
yet this is from such a pure, disinterested principle, if I know 
my own heart, as leads me to look for no return, nor to have any 



192 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

claim upon her for it, even in point of gratitude or affection. 
But I have exceeded my strength, and must conclude. May the 
Lord keep you as the apple of his eye, and make you and your 
amiable friend mutually profitable to, and comfortable with each 
other. So prays, my dear daughter, 

Your ever affectionate parent in the best of bonds, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Edinburgh, July 24, 1781. 

Several things have conspired to prevent my daughter hear- 
ing from me till now, the particulars of which I will not take up 
her time in relating. Suffice it to say, it has not been altogether 
bad health. I have had a return of the bilious complaint, but am 
better, only this very sultry weather enervates me much. 

I am pleased to hear that Lady G. is getting better, and hope 
you have had only a threatening of your complaints. It gives 
me satisfaction to hear that you have obtained more full and com- 
fortable views of the faithfulness, wisdom, and goodness of God 
in his dealings with you. This will naturally lead to stronger 
confidence in him ; to more communion with him ; to greater 
zeal for his glory, and activity in his ways. May he enable you 
to hold fast what he has bestowed, and daily to increase. 

The word of God and the Christian's daily experience prove 
the proneness of the heart to depart from the chief good, the 
grand cause of which is unbelief. Our wanderings are just in 
proportion to its prevalence. By faith we stand, and our sta- 
bility depends upon the degree of faith we possess. Happy 
those who are blessed with a large measure of this divine princi- 
ple ; they are thereby enabled to cleave steadfastly to Jesus, in 
whom all fulness dwells, and to derive from thence every need- 
ful supply. He is the centre of rest to the believing soul, and 
the only source of comfort. May you fully and experimentally 
prove this. 

I am uncertain whether I shall get any thing done this sum- 
mer — the season is so far advanced, and the weather very hot, 
and my niece still with me ; but all will be overruled for good. 
Nothing but sin and folly reign here. At present the town is 
full, and Satan busy. O that the Lord would open the peo- 
ple's eyes, and show them where true happiness is to be found. 
Mrs. H. is much better. My sister returns best respects. Give 
my kindest love to Lady G. ; and accept of the maternal bene- 
diction of 

Your affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 193 



TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Edinburgh, August 8, 1781. 

What has become of my friends at Taymouth ? I wrote my 
dear daughter about two weeks ago, but have had no reply ; I 
hope it is not owing to want of health. I saw, by Mrs. H.'s 
letter, Lady G. was not so well as her friends could wish. Does 
she continue poorly, or has change of air been blessed to the 
establishing of her health ? I long to hear particulars of both 
her and you. 

However outward things go, I hope you both enjoy the pre- 
sence of your Beloved ; that can sweeten the bitterest cup. The 
Christian's life is a warfare at the best ; happy for us, we are not 
called to fight in our own strength. Were this the case we 
should be overcome by the weakest of our foes, but Jesus is our 
strength as well as our righteousness ; therefore, through faith 
in him we are well able to overcome our strongest enemies. O 
what a source of constant consolation does our union with him 
afford us ; because he lives we shall live also. lie is all in all 
to the believing soul. rejoice in, and live up to your great 
privileges; then will you "rejoice evermore, pray without ceas- 
ing, and in every thing give thanks." 

I have been a good deal afflicted with rheumatic complaints, 
and a disorder in my stomach and bowels, which affected my 
nerves and spirits. I wish to welcome all that is appointed for 
me, to have no wish but the will of God, to cleave alike to him 
in sickness as in health, in adversity as in prosperity, and in 
death as in life. My sister and niece leave me to-morrow : I 
hope I shall get to the country the beginning of the week, I 
fancy to Saughton-hall ; I am to have a positive answer about it 
this day. I have made much inquiry about other places, but can 
find no other. I have formerly obtained health in that place ; 
and though at present it has the disadvantage of the young wo- 
man dying there, yet I think I can put up with it, by sleeping in 
another room, or perhaps in the same, with another bed. The 
painting and plastering necessary to be done in my house re- 
quires my absence for three or four months longer, and there- 
fore a house near the town suits me better than one at a dis- 
tance ; and if I find the country answer, I may perhaps winter in 
it : but all future things are uncertain. 

Give my kind love to Lady G. Mrs. H. continues well, and 
all friends much as you left them. Farewell ; may the full ac- 
complishment of every gospel promise be the sweet experience 
of my dear daughter ; this will give comfort to her affectionate 
parent in the Lord, D. M. 



194 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL, 



TO MISS RITCHIE. 



Saughton-hall, Nov. 11, 1781. 
I would before now have acknowledged the receipt of youi 
kind letter, dear madam, but very soon after I received it, I went 
from home, and was absent a long time. I have been much in- 
disposed for many months, and also in heaviness through mani- 
fold temptations. I endured severe inward conflicts ; through 
mercy my faith did not fail, but my joy was much abated. The 
cup I drank was indeed bitter ; but thanks, eternal thanks to my 
God, who stepped in for my relief: he rebuked the adversary, 
and put a song of praise in my mouth. I now enjoy peace in all 
my borders. The Father and the Son make their continual 
abode with me. Jesus is precious, and I behold him as the 
King in his beauty : he is ever present with me, and whispers 
sweet peace to my soul. Help me to praise him, for the deli- 
verance he has wrought out for me ; and permit me to entreat 
you to be earnest at a throne of grace, that I may hold fast the 
blessing bestowed, and reap all the benefit intended by the severe 
dispensation. I feel weak and helpless in myself; but my 
divine Friend is near, in whom is strength. I still am far short 
of what I expect to be. I have exceeding great and precious 
promises for my encouragement ; and he who cannot lie hath 
said, not one word shall fail of all the good things whereof he 
hath spoken. I hope your soul continues to prosper, and that 
you enjoy a measure of bodily health. Can you- meet me at 
eleven o'clock at a throne of grace every morning ? I have it 
much at heart to wrestle in mighty prayer with God, for the ac- 
complishment of the promises he has given, and wish for the 
assistance of my Christian friends ; among whom, if I may be 
permitted, I would willingly reckon Miss Ritchie. 

Praying that the Lord would send her health, and a cure, and 
reveal abundance of peace and truth unto her, I remain her 
affectionate friend, in the best of bonds, D. Maxwell.* 

TO THE HON. MISS NAPIER. 

1781. 

Dear Miss Napier, — T am obliged to you for letting me know by 
the return of post the particulars of your journey to Lainshaw. 
I am sorry it has not been more agreeable ; but still there is rea- 
son to be thankful, because it might have been worse. I hope 
by this time the painful effects occasioned by the disagreeable 
occurrences you met with on the road are well over : and that 

* Miss Ritchie (now Mrs. Mortimer) was long an intimate friend and 
correspondent of the late Rev. John Wesley. At his request, she first 
wrote to Lady Maxwell, and an interchange of letters was kept up for se- 
veral years, though they never enjoyed a personal interview. She has 
survived most of her early religious associates; remains a steady mem- 
ber of the Wesleyan society, and is " rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 195 

you find yourself happy with your two amiable friends at Doun- 
holm, where you will have much precious time, which you could 
not command in the metropolis. Your hours, I doubt not, glide 
softly on ; some spent in riding, some in working, and not a few, 
I hope, in reading. 

From the knowledge I have of your library, I know your 
books are much calculated for the improvement of your mind. 
It gave me satisfaction to see the select collection you possess ; 
I hope you will reap much benefit from a serious perusal of 
them. In vain do we look for happiness from the things and 
persons around us. They may amuse a little in the time of 
health and prosperity, but can yield no solid comfort in a dark 
and melancholy hour. But in every situation those hours we 
spend in conversing with God and our own heart, will prove 
consolatory seasons : too many live strangers to both : therefore 
they are miserable. Happy those, whose minds are divinely 
illuminated to see, and whose wills are happily determined to 
choose, that better part which shall never be taken from them. 
They possess peace and joy unspeakable : they rise superior to 
all the ills of human life, and with a holy indifference view the 
smiles and frowns of a vain world. Fixed upon the Rock of 
ages, they remain unmoved. Every event of providence, 
whether joyous or adverse, with which they are exercised in this 
vale of tears, is by the intervention of a divine agency overruled 
for their good. In all things they are guided by the unerring 
counsel of the Most High in time ; and by his grace prepared 
for everlasting happiness in eternity. Happy people ! Who 
would not be a Christian ? 

I know my young friend desires to be one ; therefore, as I 
wish her happy, I would entreat her to be in earnest: to spend 
much time in reading the sacred oracles of truth, and in breath- 
ing fervent petitions to Heaven that she may not be permitted 
to rest short of a thorough change of heart, of a vital union of 
soul with the Lord Jesus Christ. This, only this, can lay a 
scriptural foundation for present peace, or future felicity. The 
world, the devil, and our own heart oppose this great work with 
all their might : therefore, it is necessary that we put forth all 
our strength ; while, at the same time, we have no dependence, 
but on the free mercy of God through a Redeemer. I hope you 
will take all this in good part, as you know my motive ; and be- 
lieve me, dear Miss Napier, 

Your real friend, &c, &c, &c, D. M. 



Saughton-hall, December 25, 1781. 
Many, very many are the prayers that are put up this day to 
the Hearer of prayer by real Christians because, as it is thought, 



196 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

on this memorable day a Child was born, a Son was given. 
Though we cannot exactly fix the precise time when this glo- 
rious event took place, yet we are sure there was a day when it 
happened, and therefore we are safe in remembering it : not, in- 
deed, as too many do, in rioting and wantonness ; but in prayer, 
praise, and thanksgiving. O what unnumbered benefits accom- 
pany and flow from this unspeakable gift to a lost world ! How 
many have we, even ive, experienced ! If we endeavour to reckon 
them we cannot ; they are more in number than the hairs of our 
head. O that by our lives we may be enabled to testify our gra- 
titude ; and may every revolving season increase our power of so 
doing. 

Upon a retrospective view of the past year, what cause have 
we to praise our God for spiritual and temporal mercies. How 
many trials has he brought us through 1 How many troubles has 
he supported us under, and delivered us from 1 How many snares 
has he broken that were laid for us by the adversary of our 
souls, when he poured in as a flood I How often has he lifted up 
a standard for us 1 How frequently has he disappointed our fears 
and been better to us than our expectations'? How often has he 
revived and comforted our souls in public and private ; and, when 
in perplexity, made our way plain befoi? us ? Surely we have 
reason to say, " He hath done all things veil :" he is the God 
that performeth all things for us. But what returns have been 
made for all this profusion of goodness 1 Alas, ;ye have too 
much cause to lay our hands upon our mouths, and our mouths 
in the dust ; to blush and be ashamed, to stand astonished at the 
long-suffering patience of our God in sparing such cumberers of 
the ground. O that the time past may suffice wherein we have 
trifled, and come so far short of the glory of God : through 
grace may we fly afresh to that sacred Fountain opened for us ; 
there may we wash and be clean, and may the residue of our 
lives be a continual looking to Jesus, and living by faith upon 
him. Then, Enochlike, we shall walk sweetly with our God, 
and experience much of his goodness. So let it be, gracious 
Lord. 

I thought our friend had been quite strong, by the accounts I 
heard from different quarters. The sweating is a complaint she 
had the first years of my acquaintance with her, when she was 
in much better health than now. She told me then that it used 
to come on in the mornings. If it does so now, perhaps getting 
up might prevent it. May the Lord order all well that concerns 
her. Give her my love and best wishes. You do not say whether 
your health is tolerable. O that your soul may prosper ; cleave 
to Jesus, and be strong in him ; then you will be lively and happy 
wherever you are. Were you hurt by the question I put in my 
last 1 I would not willingly grieve you. 

My health is, through mercy, very tolerable ; in that respect, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 197 

this place has answered well hitherto ; but it has its inconveni- 
ences : — my want of a carriage increases them. Did I keep a 
chaise, I should see you often. And now the God of heaven fill 
you with himself, and make all grace to abound in you and to- 
ward you ; may he be a sun to comfort you, and shine with his 
beams of grace upon you. Farewell in the Lord. 

Ever yours with affection, D. Maxwell. 

While Lady Maxwell was thus endeavouring to counsel and 
comfort her afflicted friend, Lady H., she was, in the course of 
this year, frequently the subject of painful indisposition. But she 
had learned to practise well those lessons of patient submission 
and Christian confidence which she so affectionately enforced 
upon others : firmly believing that every affliction was designed 
for her good, she fervently prayed that she might receive the in- 
tended benefit ; and her diary affords abundant evidence that these 
prayers were answered. She has also recorded several seasons 
of severe conflicts with the powers of darkness ; but, in the 
strength of omnipotent grace, she went on, from conquering to 
conquer. And, what is worthy of remark, these conflicts and 
conquests were generally succeeded by peculiar manifestations 
from God, and by the possession of more than ordinary degrees 
of happiness. When the Saviour of men had resisted all the 
wiles of the devil, " angels came and ministered unto him." Her 
diary for this year proves that she experienced a growing dead- 
ness to the world ; a deeper consciousness of her own insuffi- 
ciency ; a firmer reliance upon Christ ; and the most intense 
desires to devote herself, and all she had, to the glory of God. 
The following extracts will confirm these remarks : — 

" December 22. My enemies often threaten and attempt to 
disturb my peace, but are not permitted, because the Lord re- 
bukes them. I am kept very conscious of my weakness, which 
prevents all confidence in the flesh, and leads me to live by faith, 
and constantly to look to the Strong for strength. Jesus is the 
only foundation for present comfort or future felicity. I have 
little of the mind that was in him, in comparison with what is my 
privilege. I am much stripped of confidence or complacency in 
self. In spite of temptations and weakness, when an oppor- 
tunity offers for confessing God, I feel sensibly strengthened and 
imboldened ; and the Lord often makes my attempts useful to 
others, and comfortable to myself. How wonderful are his 
ways ; but still the path of duty in some things remains uncertain. 

" 29. I still have cause to bless God for his goodness to 

rnr\ Since the 14th, he has blessed me with spiritual and tem- 
poral mercies. I desire to record his loving kindness, for, alas! 
without this, how prone ami to lose the lively sense of his good- 
ness. I can truly say, my communion is with the Father and 
with the Son. How delightful the prospect of being soon for 



198 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

ever with the Lord. O what must be the full fruition of that 
beatific vision. 

" 31. Upon a review of this year, though I have reason 

to lament my progress has been small, my improvement almost 
undiscernible ; yet, after desiring that the Lord would search me, 
I have great cause to sing of mercy, and to stand amazed at the 
goodness of the Lord. Not only because he hath spared me, 
but for supporting me under many afflictions, comforting me in 
many distresses, delivering me from many severe inward con- 
flicts, and for refreshing me with the sweet consolations of his 
Holy Spirit. He has lifted me above my spiritual foes, which 
were at times ready to devour me ; and in temporal distresses 
has repeatedly wrought out deliverances for me when I had 
reason to fear lest I should grieve his Spirit by taking too much 
thought about them. I trust I can say he knew that my inten- 
tions were right ; but I erred in having too little faith ; and, 
Marthalike, was cumbered with what I ought to have committed 
to the Lord. O the long suffering of divine patience. O the 
depth of redeeming love. I have cause to say, ' Bless the 
Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy 
name.' " 



CHAPTER XVII.— 1782. 

Correspondence with Lady Hope — Diary continued. 
TO LADY H. HOPE. 

January 11, 1782. 
I received my dear daughter's note with the enclosed, and 
would sooner have acknowledged it, but have hardly been able 

till this day. I had much bodily indisposition when at B n, 

and have suffered much more since ; yet in spite of both I had 
no cause to regret my being there ; having had a remarkable 
display of the goodness of my God, and such a striking proof of 
his being the hearer of prayer, as led me, in my way home, though 
unwell, to magnify the Lord, and to rejoice in him as the God 
of my salvation : and though, since, I have been partly confined 
to bed, and brought low in body by pain and sickness, yet a 
sweet savour of it remains on my mind. In the nigbt seasons 
the Lord made his word the food of my soul; sleeping and 
waking it filled my mind ; and to-day, through mercy, my pain 
is much abated, and I feel much disposed to abide in prayer for 
myself and friends. The Lord appeared willing to grant all I 
asked. the depth of divine love ! Surely if I were not to 
praise the Lord, the very stones of the field might cry out against 
me. I feel weak and helpless in myself, but see an ocean of 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 199 

love and goodness in God and in Christ, to which 1 am welcome 
to have constant recourse, and out of that fulness to receive by 
faith all I stand in need of. O for power to improve to the 
utmost the rich privileges to which, as believers, we are entitled. 
And, O for power to live more to God ! I seem as a mere 
dwarf in religion, swimming upon the surface instead of sinking 
into all the depths of humble love, and rising up to all the life 
of God. May the Lord make us all more in earnest ! I write 
freely, knowing that neither matter nor motive will be mistaken. 
May you, and our friend, experience a remarkable increase of 
every grace of the Holy Spirit, prays 

Your affectionate parent in Jesus, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Saughton-hall, Friday afternoon, Jan. 25, 1782. 

As it was late before your servant called, I did not like to 
detain him, and therefore sent only a verbal return to your kind 
inquiries. I write now, hoping you will get this to-morrow. 

I am sorry you should be alone, and that I am confined at 
home, indeed mostly to my chamber. 1 am, through mercy, 
much better, but still feel a soreness in my throat, and have a 
small degree of cough : and the weather, at present, is so severe 
that, without some care, I am afraid of longer confinement. 

I cannot think of your going abroad in this stormy weather : 
do not risk coming here till it is milder. The Lord, I trust, will 
be with you, and supply your every want. May you have sweet 
access to a throne of grace through the blood of sprinkling ; a 
power to roll your every burden upon the Lord, and find him so 
sustaining you as to prevent your being moved : then your hours 
will pass sweetly on. May Jesus converse with you : and, as 
the Prince of life, increase your life ; and, as the Prince of 
peace, cause your peace to flow as a river. O what blessings 
are you entitled to, through your union with him ! Peace of con- 
science, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, perseverance 
therein unto the end ! These are a few of them, but who can 
tell them all ! And, in eternity, when pain, and sorrow, and sin 
are done away, what glorious things await you ! O dwell on 
these things, that the high praises of your God may continually 
be in your mouth, and his love in your heart ; then will your 
every moment be devoted to him. 

He, in tender love, often tries you with pains and weakness ; 
but the rod is gentle. He means you to come more purified out 
of every furnace, and, as the burning bush, to flourish uncon- 
sumed in fire. I am glad you are better both in body and mind. 
Be stroii?, and the Lord will strength afford. Fear is your 
besetting weakness ; strive against it ; it is very hurtful to the 
soul. When low, and tempted to distrust, O fly then close to 



200 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Jesus, and he will cover you from your foes, and keep you as in 
the hollow of his hand ! His tenderness and kindness to his 
people are more than we can conceive. O Jesus, what in thy 
love possess we not ! Cast all your cares upon him ; spread all 
your wants before him ; and he will guide and comfort you here, 
and fix you at last in never ending joys, unspeakable and full of 
glory. 

I hope Lady G. will not be long from you, nor suffer by her 
labour of love to the old man. May the Lord give him his soul 
for a prey ! May we improve to the utmost the years, months, 
or days, that shall yet be allowed us, and at last have an abun- 
dant entrance ministered unto us into the everlasting kingdom of 
our God and Saviour. Till then I remain my dear daughter's 
affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

March 16, 1782. 

From my feelings, both asleep and awake, for some time 
past I suspected my dear daughter was not well, either in 
body or mind, or both ; and her letter of yesterday confirms my 
suspicions. 

What a mercy that all our trials, in soul and body, are under 
the direction of a God of love, the Father of our beloved 
Saviour, in whom we are, through abounding mercy, accepted. 
We have reason, then, to trust all shall be overruled for our 
good, however in the meantime painful, if we are not giving 
way to any thing contrary to the world and will of God. We 
cannot cleave too closely to Christ, nor believe too firmly upon 
him, nor expect too much from him. " If our heart condemn us 
not, then have Ave confidence toward God." But the prevalence 
of temptation, as well as sin, will weaken this confidence : and it 
is highly needful, for our own peace, to advert to this circum- 
stance. They err greatly who make either duties or frames 
the foundation of their acceptance with God : yet the former is 
indispensably necessary, and the latter is very desirable — is our 
privilege, and is also evidential of a thriving soul. Many of the 
children of God sink into a careless and supine spirit by paying 
too little regard to their frames, when, perhaps, they only desire 
to be preserved from building upon them : hereby Satan lays 
a snare for them, which they fall into unawares. But from this 
my dear daughter, I trust, will be saved, and from every other 
a snare of the enemy, and thus be kept by the power of God, 
through faith, unto full salvation. Nervous complaints much 
depress the mind. 

I had intended to be out at this time, but a new cold, and the 
severity of the weather, have made me unwillingly give up the 
thoughts of it : from your situation I should be thoughtful 
whether it be proper for you either ; this is a very trying month. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 201 

May the Lord direct you ! and, whether at home or abroad, may 
he enliven and refresh you with the smiles of his reconciled 
countenance. 

I have hopes that the Lord has heard my repeated cries to 
him for a proper teacher. When I have more time and health, 
will give you particulars. Fear not, all will be well. So hopes, 
so believes, so prays, my dear daughter, 

Your ever affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 

TO LADY H HOPE. 

March 29, 1782. 
My last was sealed and sent to town before your servant 
called. I see by your short letter you are in heaviness through 
manifold temptations. As to your apprehensions about Lady G. 
I believe it is a device of Satan to distress you, and think you 
should strive against it.* But as nothing happens to the chil- 
dren of God, whether joyous or grievous, but from which he 
means they should reap benefit — it might turn out to your spi- 
ritual advantage if you would carry it frequently to the Lord, and 
endeavour to plead earnestly that the end he has in view, by 
permitting it, may be fully answered. This might be the means 
of your obtaining entire victory, if it be a temptation : and sup- 
posing the worst, still this is the best way to get the mind com- 
forted, fortified, and sweetly reconciled to the divine will. O 
what cannot the power of grace effect in the human heart ? It 
can make us even rejoice to give up our Isaacs when called to 
it. Believe this firmly, and then you will so trust in the Lord 
as not to be afraid of evil tidings ; your heart will be fixed. We 
should be much aware of anticipating evil, it is fraught with 
many hurtful consequences ; it embitters present enjoyments; it 
weakens faith, love, trust ; it grieves the Holy Spirit, nourishes 
unbelief, and leads to discontent. Do you not remember how 
strongly you were tempted, some years ago, to believe your 
own death was at hand ? the impression, you said, was strong, 
but you said afterward that it was only temptation. If we have 
a friend that we can trust, it is of great use to mention our 
temptations ; this is often, by the blessing of the Lord, made 
the means of breaking their power. I know this by experience. 
May you prove it so at present ! 

Your affectionate parent, I). M. 

The following extracts from the diary will enable the reader 
to form a proper estimate of the state of her ladyship's mind and 
heart at the close of this year : — 

" September 25. In the course of these last two weeks I have 
felt variously. I have, at times, had seasons of refreshing \ 

* A fear that her friend was about to be removed by death. 



203 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

sweet proofs that God is the hearer of prayer. I have had 
strong desires after entire devotedness of heart and life to God ; 
have been drawn out to plead for the full accomplishment of the 
promises in my own soul, with much longing- for that happy time ; 
and have waited for it with a degree of fainting, because so long 
deferred . I have thought, surely the promises of a faithful God 
•cannot fail ; yet, wherefore is it so long before he appears in my 
behalf? I have feared lest I had any sinful hand in it, and have 
been grieved because I seem to live to so little purpose ; doing 
so little for God, for others, or for myself. I have hoped that 
every returning day would make a happy change. I have 
been happy when any opportunity was put in my power of doing 
good, and rejoiced as one that found great spoil : though even 
herein, upon a strict scrutiny, I have been very unfaithful. In 
short, 1 am a mystery to myself ; and were it not that I have the 
express promise of a faithful God, on which to depend for a great 
increase in my own soul and for an enlarged sphere of useful- 
ness, I should almost despair of things being better with me than 
they are at present. But surely the heavens and the earth shall 
sooner fail than one word that he hath spoken fall to the ground. 
Lord, I believe ; help thou my unbelief. 

" October 11. Still I have much cause to say, ' My leanness, 
my leanness.' Yet, I must also say, I have much cause to re- 
cord the loving kindness of the Lord. Since my last date, my 
visits from on high have been more frequent. I have felt more 
sweetness flowing from a sense of the presence of Christ, who 
has been very near and precious. O were he always thus with 
me, heaven, in one sense, would be complete ! He is my all in 
all. The Lord has greatly enlarged my sphere of usefulness in 
a way I did not expect ; and at first I felt a degree of reluctance, 
fearing my unfaithfulness : but I am now sweetly reconciled to 
it, and have cause to praise the Lord, who has strengthened me 
to do what he called me to, and what I feared. O for a grateful 
heart ! He gives me also to feel, in the present case, that the 
way of duty is the way not only of safety, but of comfort and 
strength. He does all things well. He has laid his hand gently 
upon my body, and again removed the rod, and disappointed my 
fears. He has also refreshed my spirits by good accounts from 
afar ; from a very particular friend, who, I hope, has been his 
mouth to me. Lord, thou knowest I would not willingly mistake 
the way in which thou wouldst have me to walk. I look to thee 
to confirm this matter to me, that I may rest assured I am doing 
what is well pleasing to thee. I have this day, (Friday,) as usual, 
renewed my engagements to be the Lord's ; though not with 
all that life and joy I aim at, yet with more sweetness than usual. 
I feel strong desires to live up to them, to the very utmost ; and 
this for the sake of others, as well as myself. Lord, do thou 
enable me to be faithful. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 203 

" 25. Still, because my God is good, T experience in a 

measure his loving kindness. In the course of these two weeks 
he has been gracious to me in various ways : he has carried me 
through trials ; strengthened me for doing and suffering his will ; 
made me feel more profit and comfort from the word preached 
than for some time before ; given me to experience more empti- 
ness in the creature than usual ; and also made me willing it 
should be so, if he saw meet, provided I might enjoy a propor- 
tionable sweetness in himself. He has strengthened my body to 
undergo more fatigue than usual, without being hurt by it. He 
has made me also to feel how good it is for me to make all my 
wants known to him by prayer ; with all my hopes, fears, and 
desires ; for I keep nothing from my God. He more and more 
leads me in this way, and I praise him for it. O the privilege 
of prayer ! He also tenderly warns me when danger is near, 
and causes me to cry to himself. 

" November 9. I again take up my pen to testify of the good- 
ness of my God. Since my last date he has given refresh- 
ing seasons, sometimes in public, sometimes in secret, and sen- 
sibly assisted me in family duties. He has permitted me to be 
brought into many difficulties, in order to show his power in 
supporting me under them, and his goodness in delivering me 
from them. I have met with most unexpected trials within these 
two weeks, and have been driven, in some measure, into ex- 
tremity ; but this hath been the Lord's opportunity. I cried unto 
him, and he kept my mind stayed upon himself. In the midst 
of various trials he has made me sit calm on tumult's wheel. 
From the comfort I felt, I doubted trials were at hand : it proved 
so, but I also proved the Lord a strong hold in the day of trouble. 
Nature felt and suffered, but grace sustained the conflict. He 
gave me to feel composure, serenity, and comfort in his house of 
prayer. O that it may be a prelude to greater enjoyments ! But 
he makes me more and more sensible I am nothing, and have 
nothing but what he bestows ; and this keeps me dependent 
upon himself, for which I praise him. He also still shows me 
what I lack, but surrounds me with promises for all I can stand 
in need of. I will extol thee, O God, my King, for ever and 
ever : while I have a being I will praise my God. 

" 21. Gardiner 's-hall. I left Saughton-hall the 14th, a 

place where the Lord permitted me to be tried with great and sore 
inward conflicts, but out of which he also, in a great measure, 
delivered me ; a place wherein he gave me, in much mercy, to 
know him times without number as a God that heareth prayer, 
both for myself and others. He also afforded frequent oppor- 
tunities of attempting to do good to others, by having the gospel 
preached in my house, by the distribution of religious tracts 
among the people, and by conversing with many individuals upon 
the concerns of their immortal souls. However feeble the 



204 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

attempts, if the Lord give his blessing, they shall not be in vain. 
Saughton-hall was a place to which I was much attached, but 
when the Lord called me to leave it he enabled me cheerfully 
to give it up, and perhaps I may see more clearly afterward his 
reasons for calling me out of it : at present, I am satisfied 
with my situation. His presence constitutes my heaven in every 
place. May he enable me to love him more and serve him bet- 
ter in this place than ever I have yet done. Then I shall indeed 
have reason to praise him for the change. I have much cause 
to bless him for carrying me through much hurry, fatigue, and a 
variety of scenes, without suffering by it ; and for giving me, 
since I came here, health of body, intercourse with his people, 
the privilege of repeatedly entering his house of prayer, and also 
some opportunities of acting for him, though my spiritual com- 
forts have not been so great. 

" December 19. (Friday.) Words fail to express my obliga- 
tions to the Lord. Since Wednesday, last week, I have had 
gracious seasons, both when alone and when with others. When 
Jesus smiles, my heaven is begun ; and of late he has been pre- 
sent and precious. He is the sacred source from whence spring 
my chief joys. I long to prove his utmost salvation, and fulness 
of love ; to be lost in that ocean of love that neither knows bot- 
tom nor shore. 

" 22. This also has been a precious day. My fellowship 

has been with the Father and the Son from morning to night. I 
have felt wrapped up in Jesus, and proved him such a source 
of calm repose as I cannot easily express. How poor and trifling 
does all created good appear when thus highly favoured of God ! 
He in mercy keeps me keenly sensible of my weakness, while 
he lets me feel where my strength lies, and makes me aware 
of my danger. As it respects spiritual pride, my soul trembles 
at the thought. I fly to the feet of Jesus, and there I am safe." 



CHAPTER XVIII.— 1783. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 
January 3. My God has seen meet to conduct me to the 
beginning of a new year, and with an unusual measure of bodily 
health. I was enabled to wait upon him in public very late on 
the last night of the last year, and early on the first day of this ; 
neither of which I had been privileged to do for many years. A 
painful languor has rested on my mind for some little time. J have 
no condemnation, but experience a keen conviction of my want 
of more spiritual life. I see and feel the necessity of drawing 
near to God. Indeed he has so moulded my spirit that, if I do 
not enjoy comfort in him, I cannot find it in any thing else. Long 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 205 

since he inclined me to flee from the world lest I should be hurt 
by it, and also because I had no relish for it ; so that I am thank- 
ful to say I have no proper source of comfort but in himself. 
When, therefore, I feel at a distance from him, I am all an ach- 
ing void, and am entirely out of my element. I also grieve from 
day to day that my sphere of usefulness remains so contracted. 
My desires to act for God are constant and vigorous ; and his 
promises for this are many and extensive ; but " hope deferred 
maketh the heart sick." The aspect of providence has long in 
this respect appeared to oppose my wishes and expectations ; 
hence arises my grief: but I would chide my unbelief. Surely 
the promises of a faithful God shall not, cannot fail. Upon a re- 
view of the last year, I perceive this has been my complaint 
during the whole of it ; yet I trust I have been kept thirsting 
after all the life of God, and for the full accomplishment of all the 
precious promises he has given in my behalf. Hasten, Lord, 
the happy time. 

22. I have lately been favoured with a more ardent 

spirit of prayer than almost ever formerly : my whole soul 
seemed to struggle into God, and to pant keenly after the full 
accomplishment of the promises. I was in great hopes that the 
time to favour me was come ; for I felt as though I could not 
live at such a distance from God ; was made astonished and 
ashamed at my past unfaithfulness and unprofitableness, and 
amazed that the Lord had borne with me so long. For some 
days past this keen edge has been blunted, and is succeeded by 
a degree of languor. My constant desire is, for the full enjoy- 
ment of the blessing of sanctification ; and I would always be at 
a throne of grace ; but when there I do not enjoy that spirit 
of fervent supplication as lately ; nay, all my kindling ardours 
die away, and I remain uneasy and restless. O to enter into a 
permanent rest, where all is light, life, and power ! O to be all 
praise, all love, and all activity ! My desires after more exten- 
sive usefulness continue, and recently the Lord favoured me 
with new opportunities, and afforded me power to embrace them. 
I feel the will of my God to be precious, and desire in all things 
to be conformed to it. 

February 14. I have had a small revival, but it does not 
prove lasting. On Monday evening my heart was softened, my 
mind serene, and a degree of sweetness was diffused throughout 
my soul. The following day this increased ; and the Lord 
showed me clearly the state of my soul, and convinced me that 
part of my suffering had arisen from a partial ignorance respect- 
ing it. While I painfully thought the work of grace was at a 
stand, the Lord was in fact carrying it on, though not in that joy- 
ous way I wished ; but by giving me a general and constant 
view of the shortness of time and the infinite value of eternity, 
thereby making all earthly and transient things appear very poor 



206 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

and little indeed. This is an important lesson. O that I may 
learn it fully ! then all other things will be easily set right. 

28. Still I have cause to complain ; still I am far from 

possessing that degree of spiritual life, which I know to be my 
privilege. Since my last I have enjoyed tastes of the goodness 
of God, but they were too short to satisfy. I have felt a sensible 
increase of hungering after the whole image of God ; the want 
of a full possession of this has pained my inmost soul : but I am 
again in a measure sinking from this ardour, and it is succeeded 
by a degree of languor which alarms me. When shall I be all I 
wish ! Secret prayer is the means from which I derive the 
greatest benefit at present. I do indeed prove this to be a special 
privilege ; I could not live without it, though I do not always 
find comfort in it. I still ardently desire an enlarged sphere of 
usefulness, and find it comfortable to embrace the opportunities 
afforded me, though alas ! I am not so faithful herein as I ought 
to be. O what great things hath God promised and prepared for 
his children even here ! Why should I come so far short ? 

March 12. I would with gratitude acknowledge the goodness 
of my God, who, for the last two weeks, has given me more 
reason than for some time to conclude that he is carrying on 
his work in my soul, and with much freedom from painful tempt- 
ation and inward conflicts. He has, with the return of spring, 
given me a fresh spring of heavenly affections ; sweetly alluring 
me to himself, and constraining me to yield up all the affection 
ate powers of my heart to him, with whom true joys abound. 
There I would centre all my happiness ; from that sacred source 
I would draw all my consolation. I have been favoured with 
the sweet and sensible presence of my God, especially this last 
week, both in public and private, but particularly in secret prayer. 
In the house of God, my views of a happy eternity have been 
truly delightful. For about two hours last week, I felt most 
keenly, from a fear that I had grieved the Spirit of God ; but the 
Lord in mercy removed my distress, and comforted me. He 
shows me that my works are not perfect ; clearly sets before me 
how much more closely I may walk with him : how much more 
glory I may bring to him ; and if I can judge of the feelings of 
my heart, I should esteem it my richest privilege to give him 
each precious moment as it flies, and to prove the utmost power 
of transforming grace. 

14. Still my God is good. Last night, in the chapel, 

it was indeed a time of love. God the Father and Son drew 
near ; surrounded me with their peaceful presence, and filled my 
soul — not with rapturous joy, but with a silent heaven of love. 
The divine attraction felt so strong that, like the concentrated 
rays of the sun, my every power and faculty seemed united and 
fixed on God. I felt sweetly sinking into him, and enjoyed most 
delightful and extensive views of holiness. I experience to-day. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 207 

as one blessed effect of this heavenly visitation, an increasing 

E)wer to take up my cross, to deny myself, and to follow the 
ord. 

26. This morning, while I was conversing with some 

persons that love God, Jesus drew near, and filled my soul with 
surprise. When he is nigh, sorrow and care fly far away. 
Throughout the day he, at different times, appeared to the eye of 
my faith as altogether lovely : yet my enemies pushed hard at 
me, and one temptation for some time prevailed. But O, with 
what desire did I breathe after pure and perfect love : that 
Jesus might more fully possess my heart, and felt willing to part 
with all for this. For some time my hungering and thirsting 
after entire devotedness to God have been abundantly increased ; 
yet I have also felt depressed with a sense of my unprofitable- 
ness. O that the Lord would enlarge my sphere of usefulness. 
I long to be active for God, and useful to my fellow creatures. 
I have the promise of a faithful God for this ; but the time seems 
long delayed. O that now he would do as he hath spoken. 

May 23. Coates. Having obtained help of God, I continue 
to this day, witnessing that he is good. Since my last date I 
have had severe and unexpected trials, but the Lord has brought 
me through. O that I could add, with glory to his name, and 
with profit to my own soul : but, alas ! herein I am still defect- 
ive. I have also enjoyed many mercies. O that I could say they 
produced all that warmth of gratitude they were calculated to 
do ; but herein also I greatly fail. In very many respects I am 
a wonder to myself. When will my complainings cease ? lam 
weary of them. When shall I be all love and all praise ? The 
Lord brought me to this place on the 16th instant, through 
many difficulites : it has been mostly a season of trial ever since, 
yet mingled with many mercies. At Gardiner's house, from 
whence I came, I had much cause to speak of the goodness of 
the Lord ; and here also I expect his tender mercies will follow 
me. O that I may be endued with power to glorify him, how- 
ever it may fare with me. 

June 6. Since my last date, the Lord has appeared remarka 
bly in my behalf, and has wrought out for me a great temporal 
deliverance. His goodness astonished me ; and his faithfulness, 
which shone conspicuously in this affair, confirms my trust in 
him for future mercies : but yet this lively sense of his kindness 
does not prove so lasting as it ought. 0, I much need more 
grace ! For some weeks past I have been harassed with world- 
ly matters, which have occupied much of my time, and I fear 
injured my mind ; at least, damped my spiritual ardour. I hope 
the bustle is now nearly over. O that I may a thousand times 
more than ever centre in God; feel calm repose in the bosom 
and blood of Jesus, and be all for Jehovah. 

13. My soul is made very desirous of an enlarged 



208 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

sphere of action for God: the language of my heart is, What 
shall I do for God? I have cried to him repeatedly, that he 
would put some work in my hand, and I think he has pointed 
out one or two ways wherein I may be of some use to his cause 
and people. He has given me strong convictions, since I came 
here, of the shortness and uncertainty of time — of the unsatis- 
factory nature of all sublunary good — of the great propriety of 
using all for him — and of my doing as much as possible during 
my short life for his cause. May his grace enable me to reduce 
these lessons to practice : may I enjoy more of his love in my 
heart. He has in mercy lately warned me of danger where ] 
was not suspecting any ; and stimulated me to cry to him to be 
preserved from whatever would grieve his Spirit, or in the least 
injure my own soul. 

While Lady Maxwell was thus intensely desiring an enlarged 
sphere of usefulness for herself, she continued to stimulate her 
friends to go forward with their works of faith and labours of 
love. The following letters must not be omitted : — 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Coates, June 19, 1783. 
I had both my dear daughter's letters, and would have answer- 
ed the first sooner, but have had people staying in my house for 
some days, to whom I gave a good deal of my time, fondly hoping 
it might be of some use to them. Besides, I have not beeu 
so well for the last two weeks, and on Sunday was only out 
about two hours to the West Church, which was a time of re- 
freshing. Mr. Jones and Mr. Groves were no small addition ; 
both seemed alive, and in general it appeared to be a good time. 
I hope Mr. G. will be of use at Edinburgh ; multitudes attend 
his preaching. He was with me yesterday, when we had some 
profitable conversation. O that the Lord would give a fresh 
commission to many of his ministering servants ; that his word 
may run and have free course, that multitudes may fall down 
under the power of it, and our, God be glorified, from the rising to 
the setting sun. How desirable is it to be in any way instru- 
mental in promoting this great work. Time is flying, men are 
dying, and eternity hastens on. This is not our rest, we must 
not expect it here ; let us then be willing to embrace every in- 
convenience the Lord may see meet to lay in our way ; let us 
live as pilgrims, hastening home to our glorious rest, and en- 
deavouring to take as many with us as we can. We have hitherto 
lived at a poor dying rate, much beneath our privileges ; let the 
time past more than suffice ; let us now arise and lay aside every 
weight, look continually to Jesus, and live by faith upon him, 
and we shall find wonders done in his holy name both for our- 
selves and others. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 209 

I am glad Lady G. is getting better ; I hope the Lord has 
much to do for her, and with her, before she takes possession of 
that inheritance that fadeth not away. With my love, tell her 
I had all her letters, and lost no time in doing what she wished 
me ; but the person she mentioned was gone out of town, not 
to return till this night, when I hope to give him the informa- 
tion she desired ; and on Monday I hope to be able to give her 
some account of the matter. Mrs. N. is much as usual, rather 
stirred up by Mr. G. Scarlet fevers are prevailing in town, and 
a putrid one at Dunbar ; but when will the inhabitants learn 
righteousness ! 

I wish I could provide you with a proper maid, but it is a dif- 
ficult matter ; you have my prayers for it, and if I hear of one, 
will let you know. Prayer can procure every thing that is for 
our good. O what cause of thankfulness is it that we have a 
gracious God to go to on all occasions. Use and enjoy this pri- 
vilege, and you can never be miserable. You want more faith; 
cry mightily for it, and stir up the gift of God that is in you, and 
let not the power of temptation obscure that comfortable light it 
is the will of God you should walk in, or weaken that strength 
of which you are possessed in virtue of your union with the 
Lord of life and glory. May the Lord set you free, and keep 
you so, and enable you more than ever to spend and be spent in 
his cause. So prays, my dear daughter, 

Your affectionate parent, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Coates, July 8, 1783. 
How is my dear daughter since she arrived at Moffat \ May 
I hope better both in body and mind ? It is surely a great evil 
to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think ; but I 
judge it is also a loss not to form a just estimate of ourselves. 
It is the opinion of one of our English poets, that the part we 
act in life bears an exact proportion to the judgment we form of 
ourselves ; that we never shall attempt any thing great, either 
for God or man, if we think very meanly of ourselves. This 
sentiment, though it came from the pen of a man that I believe 
had no religion, yet, properly qualified, is truth. In one sense 
we cannot think too meanly of ourselves, but in another I think 
we may ; and I believe the adversary of souls has a hand in it — 
for while he persuades us that we are so poor and despicable 
we can do nothing ; he means thereby to cut asunder the very 
sinews of our active endeavours for the glory of God, and the 
good of our fellow creatures. This is a very subtle device of 
Satan ; by it many Btrong oneel ;ire rendered weak and kept 
useless all their days, when by nature and grace they are formed 
for extensive usefulness. May the Lord shine into your soul, 
and give you to know the things that are freely given you of 



210 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

God, and enable you to use them all to his glory, the good of 
your fellow creatures, and the comfort of your own soul. I know 
this is the habitual desire of your heart. 

Is there any way which occurs to your mind for the promoting 
of any or all of these, in which you could take a more active part 
than you have hitherto done 1 I think it would be of use to you. 
Your nerves and spirits are, I think, very weak at present ; see 
that you do all you can in your present situation for strengthen- 
ing them. O get free from unnecessary cares, and from taking 
too great a weight of even necessary ones. Fear nothing ; 
neither persons, places, nor things. It is our privilege to have 
but one desire — that is, to please God ; and but one fear — lest 
we should offend him. This brings much sweet liberty into the 
soul. May you feel it so ! 

I shall be glad to hear soon from you, with many particulars 
about yourself, and our dear friend, and also of Lady J. Many 
thanks for the bottle you sent me. I am much as when you saw 
me. I wrote Lady G. last night, but forgor to give her my ad- 
dress. Most people continue my old one, Princess-street, and 
my letters always come safe. In every place and situation I 
continue, my dear daughter, 

Your affectionate parent, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Coates, July 24, 1783. 

My dear daughter's letter of the 16th I did not receive till the 
23d, owing to Miss N.'s being out of town. I began to fear that 
either Lady G. or you was not well. Both letters were most 
acceptable and agreeable. By your desire I write soon. I am 
glad the visits you mention are over, and the hurry and agitation 
occasioned by them subsiding. I would almost say it is a great 
mercy when we are hurt by worldly company, (I do not mean 
sinfully so ;) it is a great preservative against mixing too much 
with it, and a loud call to avoid it, as much as is consistent with 
the will of God and our duty. 

I perceive, by your letter, that you are suffering both in body 
and mind from different causes ; some of which have often proved 
a source of distress to you. O that the Lord would teach you 
to depend more upon himself, and to be less attached to the 
creature. Indeed, it is your privilege to be free and disentangled 
from all, to give them all up to God, and to leave them there. 
This will secure to you the true enjoyment of them ; but this 
victory the power of sovereign grace alone can give, and it is 
more difficult to some tempers than others. The more you 
love God the more easy you will find it to trust him with what- 
ever is dearest to you, whether persons or things; and the 
greater degree of sweet liberty you feel in your own soul. 

There is nothing so hurtful to the nervous system as anxiety; 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 211 

it preys upon the vitals, and weakens the whole frame ; and, 
what is worse than all, it grieves the Holy Spirit. But I hope 
you will be made conqueror over that, and every other foe, and 
prove God's utmost salvation and fulness of love : then you will 
find " where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty :" then 
you will be better able to commit not only your own way, but 
the way of those you love, unto the Lord, and to trust in him 
that he will bring it to pass : then you will see cause to praise 
him, when he has wrought that work that caused your needless 
fears. I feel inclined to say, " O thou of little faith, wherefore 
dost thou doubt 1" "Wherefore dost thou fear from day to day, 
for thyself and others, and where is there any just cause for fear % 
" The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth" and this God is your 
God, and the God of your dear friend, and he will be the guide 
of both, even unto death. His faithfulness is a constant shield 
and buckler to both : you may have access every moment for 
counsel and direction from him, and you are surrounded with his 
promises for time and eternity. You have no views in life but to 
glorify God and to enjoy him ; how then can you entertain one 
shadow of a doubt that the Lord will not shine upon your path, 
and lead you into his holy will 1 O, my dear madam, see your 
privileges, and live up to them, and say, with the poet, — 
" Away, my unbelieving fears, 
Fear shall no more in me have place." 
When the Lord answers our prayers he often thwarts our in- 
clinations, and by leading us into all his holy will he most fre- 
quently crosses our own. But these are sacrifices he expects 
we will offer up to him. All Lady G.'s exercises will, I trust, 
terminate, as you and I could wish, in her own good and that of 
others. You may assist her much by your prayers, your counsel, 
and your ready and cheerful acquiescence in whatever she has 
reason to believe is the will of God concerning her. I rejoice 
in the good accounts from London. O that the work of the Lord 
may increase in all places ; may his kingdom come, and his will 
be done ; and may we be permitted, and honoured, to throw in 
our mite also ; may all we have, and are, be devoted to God. 
How does Lady I. go on 1 Believe me ever 

Your affectionate parent, D. M. 

The Lord had important work in reversion for his pious hand- 
maid, and he was now gradually preparing her to engage in it 
with all the spiritual ardour of a primitive Christian. The inten- 
sity of desire breathed forth in many of the following extracts, 
and the victorious faith manifested throughout until she received 
"the accomplishment of the promises," are truly remarkable. 

"July 27. Since the 13th, I have experienced a small in- 
crease ; a keener edge upon my spirit ; a sharper appetite for 



212 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

spiritual food ; a greater standing alone with God ; a fuller 
emptying of created good ; a deeper conviction of the shortness 
of time, and the awful importance of eternity ; with an increase 
of love to God, sweetness in duty, and more ardent desires to be 
wholly employed for him. Still my God continues his goodness 
to me with regard to secret prayer, allowing me liberty to pour 
out all my heart to him, to cast all my cares upon him, and to 
spread all my wants before him. How very often do I prove 
him to be a God that heareth prayer. I have been lately favoured 
with some precious instances of this ; of his care over me in pre- 
serving me in the time of danger, and in providing for my safety 
when I thought not of it. 

" Sept. 12. Upon a strict review of what has passed within 
and without during the last month, I have cause to record the 
goodness of my God in very many respects ; yet my comforts 
have run in so low a channel that I seem to have but little to 
say. One thing I must observe, that, if spiritual consolations 
have been small, inward conflicts and outward trials have also 
been few. I have felt a keener edge upon my spirit, strong 
desires after all the life of God, and for power to glorify him in 
a more active and useful way. He has enabled me to be much 
in prayer for the accomplishment of the promises, though with 
little comfort : yet at times I have been brought into extremity ; 
seeing all outward helps failing ; no opening in providence for 
extensive usefulness ; no immediate answers to prayer in respect 
to this particular. Beside the removal of those that were help- 
ful to me by prayer and conference, some to Abraham's bosom, 
others turned seemingly aside, — all these things appear against 
me, and tend to discourage me ; so that at times I have been 
sorely perplexed. Yet in the midst of these trials I have been 
upheld by an almighty power, and still hope not one word shall 
fail of all the good things which God hath promised. Though in 
a great measure I stand alone, and have done so for some time, 
I am enabled to believe that the Lord is able to make me stand, 
and that he will perfect what concerns me ; though destitute of 
various helps which I once enjoyed. Even so, Amen. 

" October 3. Still my soul is vexed with a partial distance from 
God : still he delays his coming in the full accomplishment of 
the promises : still the means of grace are comparatively un- 
profitable, and at times I feel the fiery darts of Satan. It is an 
emptying season. Yet the Lord frequently answers my prayers 
with regard to temporal things, from which I derive encourage- 
ment ; but it is spiritual blessings I long for : a healthful soul 
and a useful life. This God hath promised. And though at 
present a sable cloud envelopes me, I will still wait, and hope, 
and believe to the end. O to be all alive to God ; to possess a 
heart flaming with divine love ; and a life shining with every 
grace of the Holy Spirit For these I would despise crowns 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL, 213 

and sceptres. Lord, grant me all I want, for Christ's sake, and 
I will praise thee in time and through eternity. 

Lady M. at this time suffered from a degree of uncertainty 
respecting the work of grace in her heart. She had not yet 
publicly professed entire sanctification, but at times believed that 
she enjoyed the blessing : at other seasons she was perplexed 
with doubts, and was led to fear that those doubts were occa- 
sioned by her not humbly declaring " what God had done for her 
soul." That she might be delivered from this state of uncer- 
tainty she solicited an interest in the prayers of her friends. 

TO MISS RITCHIE. 

October 18, 1783. 

I wrote dear Miss Ritchie many months ago, and hope it is 
not want of health which prevents my having an answer. If 
entirely convenient, should be glad to be assured of this by her 
own pen. 

For some time past a painful degree of uncertainty has rested 
upon my experience. I feel afraid of drawing any certain con- 
clusion concerning the present state of my soul : lest, on the one 
hand, I deny what the Lord has done for me ; or, on the other, 
presume on what he has not given. On this account I suffer a 
good deal of distress, and feel much inclined, if you will permit 
me, to ask the assistance of your prayers in a particular manner, 
that the Lord would cause his heavenly light to shine bright into 
my soul, and thereby scatter every cloud, and do away all degree 
of painful doubt ; that I may know the things freely given me 
of God, and be enabled to give him the glory, and take the 
comfort to myself. The fiery darts of the enemy I feel at times 
keenly pointed ; you know, I doubt not, the sharp distress these 
occasion. I trust all I feel is in mercy, and will be overruled 
for good ; but I long much for deliverance, if agreeable to the 
divine will. The Lord has given me exceeding great and pre- 
cious promises for all I can want, both for soul, body, and out- 
ward estate, in time and through eternity ; many of which he 
has accomplished ; but the delay of the rest often proves a 
source of the most painful sensations. I long to be fully esta- 
blished in God's utmost salvation ; to be firm as a wall of brass, 
and as an iron pillar strong. Surely this is his will concerning 
me. Do, then, dear Miss Ritchie, plead earnestly that I may 
stand perfect and complete in it ; and thereby you will greatly 
oblige your affectionate friend in the bonds of the gospel, 

D. Maxwell. 
Such precaution is highly praiseworthy, and deserves to be 
imitated by all the people of God. A few more extracts from 
tbo diarv will eonduct to \\\o end of this year : — 



214 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

" October 29. The Lord hath appeared in my behalf, and sent 
me help from his holy hill, for which I desire to Mess him. Last 
Saturday he gave me a little reviving in my bondage ; and on 
the succeeding Sabbath I felt his power, tasted his goodness, 
and proved his faithfulness. While the enemy was attempting 
to pour in as a flood he lifted up a standard, disarmed Satan of 
his malicious power, and armed me with divine strength. In 
spite of all opposition I was enabled to stand still, and see the 
salvation of God. Since then I have enjoyed more comfort, 
more sweetness in prayer, and vigorous desires to be all for God. 
Immediately before this revival I felt stripped of all, except a 
power to call on the Lord ; and, indeed, my heart and flesh cried 
out for the living God ; but this was in the absence of every 
joyous sensation. Truly God is good to Israel, and, though at 
times he may tarry long, he will avenge his own elect who night 
and day cry unto him. 

" November 19. Since my last date I have had seasons of trial 
and of consolation. Last week was a time of severe temptation. 
I scarcely knew to which hand to turn ; yet, in the midst of all, 
through mercy, I was enabled*to cry mightily to God, and he 
has heard and sent me deliverance. Yesterday, while conversing 
with some of his children on religious subjects, he made it a 
season of refreshing from his presence, both to myself and others. 
God, the Father and Son, were clear to the eye of my faith; 
and all within was peace and serenity. This happy frame con- 
tinued through the day ; and, to-day, though much tempted, my 
God is sensibly with me. 

" December 2. This has truly been a precious day ; from morn- 
ing to night my peace has flowed as a river. In conversation, 
the Lord has suggested profitable matter, and given ability to 
express it. At times my pen and tongue move freely ; at others 
I feel a total incapacity, and labour under a painful stagnation 
of thought : this convinces me that the power to use either to 
purpose comes from the Lord. Indeed the farther I go in the 
divine life the more conscious I am of my entire dependence 
upon God ; and that it is so, affords me peculiar pleasure. He 
is daily teaching me more simplicity of spirit ; makes me willing 
to receive all as his unmerited gift ; and to call upon him for 
every thing I need, as I need it ; and he supplies my wants ac- 
cording to existing exigencies. I perceive I have no stock in 
myself, on which to depend ; every new service demands a fresh 
supply, and my God is good, and sends me grace to help in the 
time of need. Much of his goodness I have tasted this day, in 
secret and social prayer, in conversation, and in meditation. 
The Lord has also lately removed much bodily indisposition. O 
that health, time, talents, wealth, influence, all may be used for 
him. While my God is thus blessing me, the enemy is very 
busy, varying his temptations, and applying them most power- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 215 

fully where perhaps I am weakest : so that, though happy in 
God, I have almost trembled for fear of their consequences. 
My only security is in looking to Jesus ; but here I obtain relief. 

22. This has also been a precious day. My fellowship 

has been with the Father and Son from morning to night. I 
have felt wrapped up in Jesus, and found him such a source of 
calm repose as I cannot express. How trifling and insignificant 
does all created good appear when I am thus highly favoured 
of God. He in mercy keeps me sensible of my weakness, 
while he lets me know where lies my strength, and makes me 
aware of spiritual pride : my soul trembles at the thought of 
that dreadful evil. I fly to the feet of Jesus, and there I am 
safe. 



CHAPTER XIX.— 1784. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 

January 1. Upon a retrospect of the past year, I find my 
obligations to God are exceedingly great. Many, very many, 
have been the times of refreshing I have had from him. How 
many my temporal and spiritual deliverances ! and O, how 
numerous the answers of prayer with which I have been favour- 
ed. My communion with heaven has been sensibly increased : 
and, times without number, he has made me sensible of the ac- 
complishment of a promise, powerfully impressed on my mind 
several years ago, that, when I was converted, I should strengthen 
the brethren. In some temporal affairs he has most wonderfully 
manifested his goodness in my behalf; and, on many difficult 
occasions, strengthened and enabled me to confess him before 
others. Language fails to express what he has done for me ; 
indeed it beggars all expression. I will extol thee, O God, and 
praise thy name for ever and ever : while 1 have a being I will 
praise thee. Through the whole of last year I have been kept 
panting after extensive usefulness, and thankful when any oppor- 
tunity for doing good was granted me. The Lord has also been 
very good to me in restraining the power of the enemy : spiritual 
temptations have neither been so strong nor so numerous as I 
have found them in former times. This I esteem a great mercy, 
for of all sufferings and trials they are the keenest. 

11. (Sunday.) A day much to be remembered. Through 

difficulties went to Mr. Jones' chapel, where the sacrament was 
to be dispensed. From the moment I sat down the Lord began 
to bless me, and many things in the sermon were comfortable ; 
but on sitting down at the table my communion with the Father 
and Son was sensibly deepened : 1 had certainly a foretaste f 



216 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

the heavenly glory. How sweet and near was my fellowship 
with the Father : God seemed to surround me with his presence. 
I was permitted to put up many petitions for myself and others, 
and for the church. I hope they will be answered. Language 
fails when I would express my gratitude to the Lord. that 
my life may express it. 

February 6. Since my last date I have been comforted, 
and also severely tried : I have felt the rod of God, whereby 
nature suffered keenly ; but I have also proved the staff of God 
supporting me. He in great mercy prepared me for suffering 
by an increase of fellowship with himself. How tenderly does 
he deal with me ! In the time of a most unexpected trial my 
Jesus drew near, as if he had said, " Though friends die, I live 
for ever." Blessed Lord, that is enough. Yet nature feels, 
animal spirits are weakened, and spiritual temptations have been 
strong; but in all my God is good. 

20. I find my mind for some time past enlarged by the 

habitual consideration of eternity. These thoughts tend much 
to rectify the judgment ; and when that is fully instructed the 
passions are easily adjusted. How contracted are our views 
while confined within the limits of time. Here there are no 
objects in any degree adequate to the vast powers and infinite 
desires of an immortal soul ; but when we contemplate eternity 
what a boundless prospect presents itself! What a full scope 
may we there give to our most extensive views and wishes. 
There all our holy affections may roam at large, and find abun- 
dance of objects perfectly suited in kind and duration to their 
nature. O my God, in these glorious regions of bliss and peace 
which the gospel brings to light, may I for ever enjoy thee. 

March 4. I have felt very variously in the course of these 
last thirteen days. At times painfully exercised in my mind, 
through the prevalence of spiritual temptations, and the remains 
of unbelief; these produced keen distress, though, through the 
goodness of God, it was not permitted to continue long. On 
Saturday last Jesus drew nigh, rebuked the adversary, disap- 
pointed my fears, comforted my soul, and gave me a sweet con- 
viction that God was the hearer of prayer, answering the petitions 
I offered up to him. But soon after the clouds again gathered, 
and I was distressed. The enemy renewed his attacks, and, 
not perceiving the stratagem, I felt painfully fearful that it was 
myself which obstructed the accomplishment of the promises ; 
both those which relate to the prosperity of my own soul, and 
those which refer to extensive usefulness. This caused poignant 
sorrow, better felt than expressed. The more so now T my whole 
soul is built upon glorifying God, by enjoying him continually 
in my own soul, and by being active in his cause. But last night 
I felt a sweet impression on my mind, and from its effects I trust 
it was from the Lorn 1 , that the delay whi^h causes me at times 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 217 

so much distress was not of myself, but of the Lord ; that mat- 
ters were not yet ripe for the full accomplishment ; but that the 
Lord would in his own time bring to pass in me, and by me, 
what he has promised. This impression wonderfully calmed my 
mind, removed my painful fears, and led me to trust in the Lord. 
That impatience, which bordered upon the haste of unbelief, fled 
away ; I was led to see that I was called to wait patiently, and 
calmly to hope that what the Lord had said he would do. 

May 12. For the last three weeks I have experienced the 
most intense thirst after an increase of the life of God in my 
soul, and an enlarged sphere of usefulness. I felt spurred on by 
strong desire, stimulated by the promises of God, and strength- 
ened to plead by the spirit of prayer. Yet as no opening in 
providence appeared for the latter, and little or no answer in 
return to the former, my faith was tried to the uttermost. My 
heart felt ready to break, for the longing it had after God. It 
seemed as if I could not live, except my prayers were heard and 
answered with respect to these two particulars. At length my 
God, who is rich in mercy, proved it, by condescending to send 
me an answer last Sabbath from his holy habitation. In the 
morning I went to church, where the ordinance of the supper 
was to be administered. The words spoken from were, " Mine 
eyes have seen thy salvation." The text struck me, and I was 
led to expect something good, yet found nothing remarkable from 
the sermon. The enemy was now very busy, and my mind felt 
uncommonly prone to wander from the point in hand : but if the 
Most High is determined to arise and work, who can hinder'? 
At his holy table, to which. I went much agitated, all my wan- 
derings ceased, and God spake with power to my soul. He con- 
descended to unfold to me the seeming mystery of his late dis- 
pensations toward me, both in providence and grace. He told 
me it was to try my faith, and to prove whether I would continue 
to follow him through every discouragement, and continue be- 
lieving his promises, although the aspect of providence contra- 
dicted them. He then assured me my faith should prove 
triumphant, even as the faith of the woman of Canaan, who con- 
tinued to plead for her daughter in spite of every discouragement. 
These gracious words brought amazing strength into my soul ; 
I felt determined, with a divine fortitude, to cleave unto the Lord 
in spite of every opposition ; to hope against hope, and patiently 
to wait upon him till he saw meet to accomplish the promises. 
This heavenly frame continued through the day, and in the 
evening, while in the house of prayer, my God renewed his 
farmer kindness : for a power to retain it. How great is his 
goodness. Surely it is good to wait upon the Lord, and to trust 
in him. Hut, lest I should he exulted above measure, the day 
following I was confined with severe indisposition of body. On 
Tuesday morning I felt a degree of languor of spirit and confu- 
10 



218 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

sion of mind which grieved me. Having to meet with a Chris- 
tian friend or two I prayed much for the presence of the Lord 
to be with us. He heard my cry, and gave me my petition. 
He made me very sensible of the approach of Deity. While I 
sung his praises a reverential consciousness of the divine pre- 
sence rested on and animated my soul ; God the Father revealed 
himself tome, and that near and clear view of him has continued 
with me ever since. How can I sufficiently praise him ; I find, 
where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. 

28. Since the 17th the Lord has supported me under 

many trials, some of them most unexpected, and which pierced 
me to the quick. He has given me to feel much, very much, 
of the insipidity of worldly enjoyment, and caused some creature 
comforts to prove bitterness to me. Though these things wrung 
my heart with keen anguish, and brought tears from my eyes, 
yet I found I could, from my inmost soul, bless God for thus 
dealing with me, because salutary purposes were answered by 
the painful dispensations. I thus get farther from the creature, 
and nearer to God ; convinced he only can make me truly happy. 
Persons, things, and places are in themselves empty cisterns, 
which hold no waters of consolation, but as the Lord pours into 
them. And if I do not rise and keep above them all, they will 
pierce me through with many sorrows. My God does all things 
well. O to be faithful to him ! Though thus tried, I have not 
been left comfortless : the Lord has been good. He still gives 
me power to hold fast what he has spoken, in spite of Satan 
and every foe. O that he would come quickly, and do as he 
has said. 

June 27. In the course of these seventeen days I have not 
experienced any very material change. I have had, at various 
seasons, an increase of the more immediate presence of God, 
and Jesus has sweetly attracted my heart and affections by ap- 
pearing in his native beauty, shining with the milder beams of his 
mediatorial glory. In him resides the fulness of the Godhead bo- 
dily ! Deity in its plenitude of power ! Comfortable, animating 
thought! And Jesus is mine. Amazing mercy ! On Sunday week 
I had an opportunity to sit down at the Lord's table, where I felt 
my inmost soul pierced with a sense of his goodness. For 
some days after 1 was kept praying without ceasing, and was in 
hopes the time to favour me was come ; but to this succeeded 
two bitter days of outward and inward trials. On Sunday last, 
through many difficulties, but with strong desire and great ex- 
pectation, I entered the house of God. In the former part of 
the day I was disappointed : in the latter, He whom my soul 
loveth drew nigh, and 1 was comforted. Yesterday my soul felt 
as if drawn from its centre ; my keen relish for divine things 
was much lessened, and my comfort greatly abated ; yet I was 
much strengthened to attempt the spiritual benefit of others, by 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 219 

writing, speaking, and giving away books on divinity. These 
opportunities of doing good were most unexpected ; but, while 
thus engaged, the adversary was most assiduous in his attempts 
to distress ; painful temptation for some time prevailed, but by 
prayer and faith he was conquered. 

October 22. In the course of these seven weeks I have too 
much given way to temptation, by not writing. Satan has re- 
course to many stratagems to prevent it. He knows it is pro- 
fitable, and therefore opposes it. I have much cause to bless 
the Lord for many mercies, spiritual and temporal. Since my 
last date I have had sweet seasons, many answers to prayers, 
and power to attempt doing good, in a way not tried, except 
twice, sinee I came here : I mean, having the gospel preached 
at this place once every week. O that the Lord may smile 
upon my feeble attempt to glorify him, and give success. My 
God has been graciously present at my little meeting on Thurs- 
day for prayer, praise, and Christian conference ; and in secret 
and social prayer, has shown much kindness, and given unexpected 
opportunities of acting for him at home and abroad, and enabled 
me to exert more power in this way than ever. The issue I 
leave to him. Upon the whole he has kept my soul in a good 
measure alive to him ; panting after the accomplishment of the 
promises ; and daily looking for his coming, to do in me and by 
me as he has promised. He increases my desire and power to 
use my substance in the support of his servants and cause : 
makes me sensible of my danger as to several evils I might fall 
into ; which causes me to cry to him against them. Secret 
prayer is more and more profitable and comfortable, and a so- 
lemn sense of eternity still rests upon my mind ; with a strong 
desire to improve time for myself and others. At times the Lord 
gives me to feel my weakness ; and how quickly I should be 
swallowed up by my enemies if he did not interpose. This night 
the Lord disappointed my fears ; when I looked to him he was 
at hand to help me. 

December 8. Since my last date I have had keen inward 
sufferings ; what are termed the buffetings of Satan. Horror, 
at times, has taken hold of me. I felt much, but feared more. 
I feared that I had grieved the Spirit of God, and therefore cried 
mightily to him that, if this were from an enemy, he would rebuke 
the adversary, and give freedom from these painful feelings ; 
but, if from himself, they might continue till every end was an- 
swered that was intended by sovereign love. On Sunday last 
I longed to go to church, expecting relief; and in the afternoon 
his servant was a son of consotetion. My soul was strengthened 
and comforted by what I heard. But in the evening, at the 
chapel, my distress returned. I felt stripped of all : I wished 
to be searched to the bottom, and appealed to the Lord that I 
longed to be all he would have me. Jesus drew sweetly nigh, 



220 LIFE OF CADY MAXWELL. 

and comforted me. For some minutes I attempted to examine 
myself, but all was in confusion. One thing seemed pressed upon 
my mind, but whether from an enemy I could not say. I gave 
it up to the Lord, and prayed that he would lead me into his 
will. On Sunday night and Monday, my mind was burthened : 
I looked and longed for relief in the means afforded me, but was 
disappointed. On Tuesday afternoon Jesus again drew nigh and 
comforted me ; but this did not continue, and again fear return- 
ed. Time seemed to fly fast, and still little was done. I felt a 
poor trifler with God. On Wednesday I was distressed, fearing 
many things : comfort sprung up in my soul at times, but it did 
not abide. In the course of some years I have had several 
attacks of this kind ; sometimes much worse indeed. O that my 
fears may be disappointed, and that the Lord would give me the 
thing that I long for ; the accomplishment of all the promises he 
has given for extensive usefulness and prosperity of soul. I 
am much discouraged for want of this; and also, that the 
attempts I make to do good seem to prove abortive. When, O 
my God, when shall I have it to say that thou hast fulfilled the 
desires of my soul, and given me the thing that I looked for ? 

Such repeated exercises and deliverances tended greatly to 
qualify Lady Maxwell to give advice, and to administer conso- 
lation to others when tempted or distressed. Thus she again 
addressed her afflicted, desponding friend : — 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Coates, December 14, 1784 
I had not time to answer my dear daughter's note yester- 
day, but wish to-day to ask how she does, hearing that many of 
the family have been complaining. In the New Jerusalem none 
shall say they are sick ; but while here, according to the laws 
of mortality, we must expect to be often pained and distressed 
both in body and mind. But O what comfort does it afford us to 
know that " we have not a High Priest that cannot be touched 
with a feeling of our infirmities : ? ' on the contrary, in all our 
afflictions he is afflicted. An earthly friend may and does feel 
for us, yet often cannot relieve us ; Jesus, on the contrary, not 
only sympathizes with us, but supports, upholds, and comforts 
us : and the very moment that deliverance is proper he gives it. 
What a strong argument this for entire resignation to every dis- 
pensation of providence and grace. O may our hearts at all 
times sweetly acquiesce in all tlje holy will of God respecting 
ourselves and those with whom we stand closely connected ! 
His smile creates our day : 

" In darkest shades if Christ appear, 
Our dawning is begun." 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 221 

1 have felt a little of this of late : tried for some days with 
severe conflicts, the fiery darts of the enemy were keenly point- 
ed. Tn these very trying seasons we feel what poor helpless 
creatures we are : how soon we should be utterly destroyed if 
left to grapple with our spiritual foes in our own strength. 
how precious is a Saviour then ! In tender mercy he drew near, 
rebuked the adversary, and smiled upon me. May he enable us, 
in every temptation, to look to him and overcome. 

My soul strongly breathes after more of his mind and image, 
and for power to promote his cause and kingdom. I feel but as 
a babe in him, but do long, night and day, for the strength of a 
father. O to possess every purchased blessing ! 

I long also to hear of the prosperity of your soul. You have 
long walked through a wilderness of trials and temptations. O 
that he now would bring you into a wealthy place ! " Pray 
without ceasing," and do not faint, though an answer is not 
speedily given. The Lord will come in his own time, and re- 
buke the adversary for your sake, and your path shall be as 
" the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect 
day." I hope you will receive good accounts of your brother. 
Cast all your care upon God ; and believe me ever, 

Your affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 

She thus concludes the year : — 

Dec. 31. I have been much drawn to secret prayer to-day, 
and spent more time in it than usual ; avoiding every unnecessary 
avocation, and even some that were otherwise, in order to give 
myself wholly to prayer and spiritual exercises. I have found 
sweetness and inward liberty ; though the adversary was very 
busy, trying every method to intercept me. I do not prove all 
the power of prayer I wish, but I have certainly felt more of it 
this last eighteen months than in any former period. I wish to 
pray without ceasing. I see the necessity of praying always, 
and not fainting : but I find hope deferred fatigues the mind, and 
wearies the spirit. Yet I feel, through grace, determined to 
pray on till I have it to say, not one word has failed of all that 
the Lord has spoken concerning me. Upon a retrospect of this 
year, now come to an end, I find I have infinite cause to praise 
the Lord, much more so than I supposed, when, some days ago, 
I was consulting only my present feelings. It is melancholy ta 
think how soon a sense of the Lord's goodness dies away from 
the soul, even after the strongest manifestations of his love. 
Lord, what is man, that thou shouldst show kindness to him ! 
How ungrateful, insensible, unfaithful, and unprofitable. Yet 
still thou art good : but thou knowest whereof he is made, and 
rememhorost he is hut dust. O, how do I long to feel sovereign 
grace triumphing over all my weakness, ignorance, unbelief, fear, 
yea, every thing that is contrary to the will of my God. Since 



222 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

January, 1783, the Father of mercies has several times appeared 
in my behalf in a remarkable manner : in public, private, and in 
secret : indeed, times without number, but more especially on 
three different occasions ; twice at his own table, and once in 
secret. What consolation did he pour into my soul! With what 
communion with himself did he favour me, immediately before I 
was visited with a severe trial ! Words cannot, may silence 
speak his praise ! Some months after that, how wonderfully did 
he condescend to explain the dispensations of his providence and 
grace toward me, when they were so mysterious I could not un- 
derstand them, and had well nigh sunk in the mire of despond- 
ency : but he took me out of that horrible pit, set my feet upon 
a rock, and established my goings. Then was I made to ride 
upon my high places for months, till again, through the power of 
temptation, the remains of unbelief, and the subtle workings of 
the adversary of souls, I was driven to extremity. Again Jeho- 
vah, who " sits above the water floods, and remaineth King for 
ever," spoke to my soul with divine power, and the mountains 
melted down. He condescended to tell me what he was doing, 
and what he would do, and how much I was mistaking his 
dealings with me. Amazing goodness ! to be humble and 
thankful ! here again my head was lifted up above my foes, 
and I was made to triumph over those who threatened to 
lead me captive. When stretched upon a bed of sickness, O 
how did my God disappoint my fears, and exceed my expecta- 
tions ! My mind, which on these distressing occasions, used to 
be painfully languid, and often the seat of inexpressible fears, 
was refreshed with a sense of the divine presence, and raised 
above the present affliction : and my lips, which used to be 
closed in these trying seasons, were opened to speak the praises 
of Him who dealt so kindly with me. But time would fail to tell 
of all the instances of the goodness of my God during the last 
twelve months ; and not to me only, but to others also with whom 
I stand nearly connected ; to some by the ties of nature, to 
others by those of grace. Suffice it to say that he hath done 
all things well : and that eternity alone can bring to light, or 
make sufficiently known, all his goodness to me. With my soul, 
and all that is within me, I desire to bless and magnify his holy 
name : 



" To praise him for all that is past, 

And trust him for all that's to come," 



Amen. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 333 

CHAPTER XX.— 1785. 
Diary and correspondence continued. 

January 12. Very frequently I have taken up my pen to give 
expression to my complainings ; but now I would indite thanks 
and praises to my God for his goodness. I entreated him to 
usher in the year with his blessing, and he has granted my re- 
quest. He is a God of mercy : blessed are all those who put 
their trust in him. He gives me to know more and more that he 
is the Hearer of prayer. On Sabbath last I had an opportunity 
to renew my covenant engagement to the Lord, by sitting down 
at his table. While uniting in prayer with the great congrega- 
tion, the Lord Jesus drew nigh, brought with him unutterable 
peace, and shed a heavenly serenity throughout my soul : this 
increased upon sitting down at the sacred table, and continued 
the whole day. I enjoyed a delightfully spiritual frame wherever 
I went, and in whatever I w T as engaged. The Lord filled my 
hands all day with his work, and my heart with his love. Some 
hours were spent with the sick, in prayer and conversation, and 
in ministering to their wants in various ways ; and the Lord 
countenanced those labours of love. My heart, at times, felt 
almost too full for utterance. 

20. Unwell in body, but comfortable in soul. The 

Lord has increased what he so graciously bestowed on Sunday- 
week. I have had a fuller enjoyment and clearer view of my 
God and Saviour. It has been almost as one unclouded day, and 
the cry of my heart is, " Ever, Lord, abide thus with me." I 
found my mouth opened to tell, before those who fear his name, 
what he has done for my soul. To-day I have enjoyed many- 
privileges, and endeavoured to let others partake of my enjoy- 
ments, by having the gospel preached to them. Many flock to 
hear ; may they understand. The comfort I now enjoy makes 
me dread severe trials ; yet I would not anticipate evil. One, 
in particular, I have cause to fear ; but I leave all to my God, 
who doth all things well. 

28. Still my fellowship is with the Father and the Son. 

In writing to a Christian friend to-day, on the goodness of God, 
and on the sweetness of the love of Jesus, my heart seemed too 
full for utterance. This I also experienced immediately after, 
when conversing with a Christian. I could not but wonder at 
this barrenness of expression, when divine love so prevailed in 
my heart. It convinced me that both the power and the pro- 
priety of speech are from God, and are given or withheld as he 
sees meet. I long for the eloquence of Cicero, for the persua- 
sive powers <if I )ciiiosthenes, when speaking of the things of 
God ; yet these, without his blessing, would not produce the 
great and desirable effect at which I aim, — his glory, in the con- 



234 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

version of sinners. I must endeavour to be contented with 
meaner talents, and rest satisfied that even these may and will 
effect great things, if divine assistance be afforded. 

Feb. 13. (Sunday.) My God has been unspeakably gracious 
all this day. I was strong, trusting in the Lord. My faith in 
Jesus seemed as a strong cable, fixed to an immovable rock. I 
walked in the light of a luminous faith, and by his strength and 
light was carried through difficulties with ease and comfort. I 
was also privileged with an opportunity of showing forth the death 
of Jesus ; and truly he was with me in his house and by the way. 
In the afternoon found the company of those that were not alive 
to God exceedingly irksome. What a blessing it is always to 
associate with living souls. 

March 12. Three weeks have elapsed since my last date ; 
various hinderances have been thrown in the way ; but I believe 
nothing but absolute necessity should prevent my taking notice 
of God's dealings with me, by committing them to paper ; as I 
find a lively sense of his goodness is too apt to die away from 
my remembrance. I have not lost what the Lord bestowed on 
the 9th of January, and the Sunday following ; but I do not at 
present enjoy so much sensible comfort. I seem to have more 
faith than lov e, and would gladly hope that the alteration is 
rather in enjoyment, than in possession. Last Sunday evening, in 
the chapel, the Lord renewed his goodness to my soul, but it has 
not proved permanent. I feel this change a great disappoint- 
ment, as I had hoped the time was come when I should be able 
to " rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every thing 
give thanks." I have not relinquished all hopes of its termi- 
nating in this mature and permanent experience. I fear lest my 
unfaithfulness should be the cause of any change for the worse. 
His grace can triumph over all my weaknesses, ignorance, and 
unbelief. I am also grieved that no effectual door is yet opened 
for my more extensive usefulness, according to his promise. 
Still, I will hope against hope, because he is faithful, and his 
promises are " yea and amen." 

April 1. Again ten days more are expired. How rapidly does 
time fly ; — imperceptibly it steals away. How ardently do I 
desire that my improvement may be in proportion to the con- 
stancy and rapidity of its flight. I have still much cause to 
adore and bless my God, as the Hearer of prayer. O that every 
fresh proof of his goodness may strengthen my trust for future 
mercies ; and more firmly confirm me in the belief that not one 
word which he hath spoken concerning me shall fail of its 
accomplishment. From my deficiency herein, springs much 
distress ; my harp is often hung upon the willows, and then my 
heart experiences much bitterness. Holy Father, whatever it 
is that causes these depressions, remove it far hence ; and let 
me every moment dwell in love, and in God, that God may dwell 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 225> 

in me. Lately, at times, I am hurt by entering too keenly into 
the subject on which I am conversing; especially when it hap- 
pens to be a painful one : this produces too many words, many 
unnecessary ones ; and, for a little, interrupts that calmness of 
mind, serenity of soul, and consciousness of the presence of 
God, I wish every moment to retain ; and which always sweetly 
solemnizes the spirit. 

May 4. I am in general kept waiting, as those that watch for 
the morning, for the appearing of my God in that full display of 
his goodness which he has promised. As yet, my hopes are 
disappointed : but I am thankful I have not been permitted to 
cast away my confidence. I still believe that " He that shall 
come, will come, and will not tarry." I have lately been 
favoured with many evident answers to prayer ; my extremity 
has been the opportunity for divine mercy to interpose, and often 
very remarkably to disappoint my fears. In secret prayer, the 
Lord frequently renews his loving kindness to my soul ; but I 
long to prove these manifestations of divine love more trans- 
forming. With the psalmist I may say, " My soul breaketb, 
for the longing it hath for full conformity to the divine image, 
and for power to fill up all my time for and with God. 

27. A time of close trial from various causes. I have 

been made to feel, not only the emptiness, but the bitterness of 
persons, places, and things. I have been and still am in heavi- 
ness through manifold temptations. In the midst of all, I am 
much drawn to secret prayer, yet without any particular returns. 
All nature seems an aching void. O what would the world be 
to me, with all that is admired in it, without the sensible enjoy- 
ment of my God] A Bochin indeed ! But, Lord, do thou shine 
gloriously from between the cherubim, into my soul ; — then all 
creation smiles, and every object wears a delightful aspect. For 
some time past, my opportunities for doing good have been abun- 
dantly increased ; and with eagerness of desire I have embraced 
them, and felt in my element when so employed. 

June 22. Since my last date the tide of temptation has run as 
high as ever I experienced it since I knew the Lord. It was, 
indeed, high water ; but it did not continue very long ; neither 
had I any remarkable deliverance, — the flood abated by degrees. 
O for a full rest from the days of adversity ; such at least as this 
state admits, and which the word of God authorizes me to ex- 
pect. Daily I am alternately tossed between hope and fear, ex- 
pectation and disappointment. I wade through the mire of 
perplexity and uncertainty, but still my trust is in the Lord. O 
my God, make me strong in faith. 

July 26. It has now been for weeks a time of almost constant 

inward suffering, arising chiefly from keen unsatisfied desires 

after God. I cannot easily express what has been endured. 

Yet many opportunities to act for God have been afforded, most 

10* 



226 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

of which have been cheerfully embraced. Strong desire after 
secret prayer has also been allowed me ; yet not followed with 
any remarkable answers. I have struggled hard at a throne of 
grace to trust in the Lord, in spite of every temptation, and 
have often found it good to do so. For some days past my heart 
has felt ready to break with anguish of spirit from perceiving a 
want of conformity to God, and from a desire to glorify him. 
Lately my desires for this have been so intense that I have been 
sometimes tempted to think they came from an enemy ; because 
they robbed me of present enjoyment, and sometimes degene- 
rated into impatience. Within these few days the Lord has con- 
descended to show me wherein I err and thereby suffer loss. 
He gives me to see that these desires come from himself; but 
that they must be kept so far within proper limits as .not to 
prevent my sense of, and gratitude for, what he has already done 
for me : and that one way to express this gratitude is by a proper 
enjoyment of what he has imparted, and a calm waiting upon 
him by faith for what he has promised, and will in his own time 
perform. In repeatedly attempting this, I have found an instan- 
taneous change in my soul for the better. 

August 18. For some days after my last date, I enjoyed such 
a degree of freedom from painful temptations as made me fear 
a state of insensibility. I prayed to the Lord, and he increased 
my comfort. Some weeks ago, I met with a trial, the last and 
least expected. At first, I felt as if thunderstruck ; but soon 
recovered from this, and then sunk into a degree of supineness 
which alarmed me. I had, from the first, given it up to the 
Lord ; entreating that his will might be done in this affair, and 
that the issue might terminate to his glory and my good. He 
afforded me no particular light, but kept me looking to, and 
depending on himself for direction ; and has given me for some 
time an increase of love. Jesus has been near, and precious ; 
and the enemy is in some measure chained up. I have thought, 
perhaps this unexpected event may be one step toward the ac- 
complishment of the promises, though I do not see how it can : 
but I remember the Lord has said, " He will bring the blind by a 
way they know not. " My soul therefore waits upon the Lord, dis- 
posed to stand still and see his salvation. O that he may make 
a plain path for my feet, with respect to this trial. I dread 
mistaking his will. He hath promised to be my counsellor. 
Lord, be it to thy handmaid as thou hast spoken. 

31. Through mercy I have enjoyed tranquillity of mind, 

in general, for some time. I have felt not only alive to eternal 
things, but comfortably so ; with some power to lie passive in 
the hands of the Lord, and to pour out my soul with frequency 
and fervour at a throne of grace, which is my resource in all 
situations. A dawn of light, pointing out the path of duty 
respecting the trial formerly mentioned, begins to arise; and 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 227 

brings comfort and gratitude along with it. I cannot easily ex- 
press the sweet and ardent desire that fills my soul, for power 
and opportunity to glorify God by active service. I envy those 
who are thus highly favoured, and watch as those who wait for 
the morning light ; for the time when I also shall be permitted to 
throw in my mite for the support of that best of all causes, 
religion. Lord, hasten the happy time. 

September 4. The Lord enabled me to be earnest in prayer 
for support and comfort under trials — to be brought out of them 
in his own good time — and to avert those which I dreaded ; and 
now he enables me to witness for him that he is the Hearer of 
prayer. He has in mercy literally answered my petitions. He 
has removed entirely the heavy trial mentioned above, which so 
perplexed me ; and has also filled me with gratitude for his 
goodness, in disappointing my fears. The Lord was peculiarly 
gracious to me last Sabbath. He in an uncommon manner 
strengthened my body, and refreshed my soul. While at the 
table, the Lord Jesus, the Master of the feast, drew so very 
nigh that faith seemed swallowed up in enjoyment. I was lost 
in wonder, love, and praise ; and was permitted, like John, to 
lean my weary head on the bosom of the Saviour. He gave 
me sweet liberty to make all my wants known to him : my hopes, 
my fears, my desires. It was a time to be remembered. that 
I may never forget it, but be enabled to improve to the utmost 
this gracious visitation. Jesus has abode with me ever since. 
He carried me through difficulties the same day ; and next 
morning I needed his presence much, being visited with severe 
bodily pain ; my Beloved was near, and this sweetens every 
dispensation. O my God, now carry on the work rapidly, and 
fulfil the desires of my heart. 

21. Through the abounding mercy of my God I am still 

enabled to hold fast what was bestowed on the 4th instant, 
though it has been at times as if through fire and water. Jesus 
is still near, and clear to the eye of my faith. O that he may 
never more depart. My soul is, more than usual, athirst for sal- 
vation. For many months my strongest desires and greatest 
expectations were for a larger circle of action ; these last still 
continue, but now with the addition of the former. I sweetly 
pant to prove the utmost extent of Christ's kingly power in my 
heart. I have much cause to praise him for many blessings, 
both temporal and spiritual. I see his gracious hand at work for 
me in many tilings, which calls forth my gratitude, and increases 
my trust in him ; but till he has delivered me from all my foes, 
there will be partial departures from him, and a deficiency in 
every grace ; nor shall I be able to make him suitable returns. 
October 5. I have much cause to say, truly God is good to 
the soul that seeks him. He still enables me to hold fast what 
he bestowed the 4th of last month ; and has lately increased it. 



228 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Last Sunday evening, in the chapel, God was peculiarly present ; 
sweetly solemnized my mind, and increased my communion with 
himself: and on Monday, though necessarily employed in worldly 
matters, he kept me in the comfortable enjo) 7 ment of what he 
had bestowed. In the evening, when engaged in secret prayer, 
God was very gracious ; my feelings were uncommon : it seemed 
as if the Lord were about to work a greater work in my 
soul than ever ; but in that moment the adversary so furiously 
assaulted me, that I seemed driven back from the very port of 
bliss. To-day I enjoy calm peace and inward liberty. Prayer 
is my resource on all occasions ; and truly I experience it an 
unspeakable privilege. My God permits me to bring all my 
affairs, both great and small, to himself: and condescends to hear 
and answer my petitions. I hope I am learning more gospel 
simplicity, and am taught to look for all I want by faith. For 
many months my whole soul has been thirsting after a larger 
sphere of action ; agreeably to the promises of a faithful God. 
For these last few weeks I have been led to plead earnestly for 
more holiness. Lord, give both, that I may praise thee. This 
evening again, in secret prayer, my gracious Saviour gave me 
so much of his delightful presence as seemed to supersede the 
medium of faith ; it felt as if lost in fruition ; I was ready with 
Peter to say, " It is good to be here." The storehouse of divine 
mercy appeared open to me, yet I had not power to lay hold on 
all I wanted and desired. It seemed rather a time of enjoyment 
than of wrestling. Lord, teach me how to improve to the utmost 
these seasons of love. 

8. This has been a precious day ; unutterable sweetness 

has been diffused through my soul. I have been permitted 1 to 
behold the face of my gracious Saviour, and to enjoy commu- 
nion with my God and Father. Yesterday, my perception of 
divine objects was not so clear ; this was painful, as I feared it 
prognosticated the removal of my comfort, and an overshadow- 
ing of my delightful prospect ; but to-day my God, who is rich 
in mercy, scattered the rising clouds. The Sun of righteousness, 
by the brightness of his shining, dispelled the dreaded gloom, and 
dissipated whatever threatened to intervene and obscure my 
heavenly light. I have been enabled to plead for holiness, for 
every blessing Christ has purchased, and for the witness and the 
fruit of the Spirit. Come, my God, in all thy fulness come ! 

We must here pause for a moment, again to introduce to the 
reader the amiable and afflicted Lady Hope. In the autumn of 
this year, she removed to Bristol Hot- Wells ; her health was 
now rapidly declining, and it became painfully evident to her 
affectionate friends that the time of her departure was at hand. 
By this affliction all the tender sympathies of Lady Maxwell's 
heart were excited ; and with a solicitude truly maternal, she 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 229 

endeavoured, by consolatory epistles and fervent prayers, so to 
fortify the mind of her " dear daughter," that she might be enabled 
with Christian confidence to enter the " valley of the shadow of 
death." The following letters, which it is believed were the last 
she ever wrote to the dying saint, will be read with interest : — 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Coates, October 26, 1785. 

" Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied " to my dear daugh- 
ter more abundantly in her present distressing situation. I 
heard with surprise, from Lady G., of your being much worse 
by the journey to Bristol. I fear the pain of parting with a dear 
friend has made things worse than they would otherwise have 
been. I would have written sooner, to express my maternal 
sympathy with, and anxiety about you, but that I feared, from 
the account I had, it might be improper. This, however, did not 
prevent, but doubled my attention to the use of those means 
whereby I thought I could most essentially serve you ; but as 
Lady G., who was with me yesterday, read me part of a letter 
written with your own hand, I thought I would venture a few lines. 

It affords me comfort to think that you have such a good wo- 
man about you as Mrs. S., and I felt my heart cleave to your 
amiable brother, Mr. John, for his kind attention to you. Lady 
G., for my satisfaction, was so good as to read a part of his let- 
ter to her, wherein he speaks of finding you better than he ex- 
pected ; though I fear the best account that can be given of the 
present state of your health is not what your friends would wish. 
But, my dearest daughter, I rejoice that you are in the hands of 
Him who loves you infinitely better than I, or any earthly friend, 
can do ; who will make all your bed in your sickness, and smooth 
the pillow of disease ; and who, I trust, will sweeten the bitter 
cup with a comfortable sense of his love. O that he may, in 
the absence of relations and Christian friends, make up your 
every want, disperse every cloud, scatter all your fears ; wipe 
away every tear ; enable you to lean your weary head, by faith, 
upon his bosom ; and give you liberty to pour all your com- 
plaints there. O that you may, more than ever, taste salvation 
in the name of Jesus ; that dear name, which 

" Charms our fears, and bids our sorrows cease." 
May you prove the sovereign efficacy of his precious blood in 
cleansing you from all sin, and in filling you with divine peace 
and heavenly tranquillity of mind. May he chain up the ad- 
versary of your soul, and give you peace in all your borders ; 
and, with unbroken resignation, enable you to acquiesce in all 
his blessed will concerning you. All these great things your 
dear Lord can easily work in your soul : if he but speak the 
word the work shall be done ; nay, one look from him can 



230 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

effect it. O what a comfortable view of things is this, when we 
feel ourselves poor and weak as helpless infancy, and can do 
nothing. The Lord give you to experience it fully. 

How willingly would I endeavour to render you every kind 
attention, could a wish convey me to your bedside. Indeed, 
Lady G. has been so kind as to beg I would go up with her, 
supposing, also, my health might be bettered by it ; but 1 fear 
it would not answer. The season is now far advanced, and set 
in very cold ; and I do not see how I could return alone, and 1 
could not tarry all winter. You may believe what comfort it 
would give me to see you once more in the land of the living. 

Lady G. is wonderfully well ; and how kind has the Lord 
been to her, in delivering her so quickly from that load of diffi- 
cult business that B. has caused her so long, and at such a 
critical time. Truly, our God is good to the soul that trusts in 
hirn. She proposes to leave this soon ; it is a comfort to me 
that she is to be with you. I received j£10 from her, for the 
school and poor ; your attention is great. But 1 am afraid 1 am 
making this too long, forgetting your weakness. 

To the ever watchful care of the Shepherd of Israel, who 
neither slumbers nor sleeps, I commit my dearest daughter, and 
remain her truly affectionate parent in the Lord, D. M. 

TO LADY H. HOPE. 

Coates, Nov. 7, 1785. 

1 sent my dear Lady H. a few lines by post some days ago, 
and hope the fatigue of reading them has not hurt her. Trust- 
ing that this is the case, I take the opportunity of our dear 
friend's going to you to write again. I am happy to think she 
goes so soon ; if it be the Lord's will, I hope you will have a 
comfortable winter together, so far as weakness and many com- 
plaints of body on both sides will permit. 

T hope the Lord keeps you as in the hollow of his hand, and 
covers your defenceless head from the fierce attacks of the ene- 
my, in your weak state. He in mercy often stays his rough 
wind in the day of his east wind, knowing what poor, weak, 
helpless creatures we are, and how little we can bear. He is a 
God who delighteth in mercy, and has no pleasure in the distress 
of his people. When he afflicts them at any time, it is to answer 
some great purpose ; and while he chastises with the one hand, 
he supports with the other ; and in general, on these occasions, 
his consolations are neither few nor small. I trust my dear 
daughter finds the best wine has been kept to the last. O that 
the heavenly attraction may be strong, so as to raise her supe- 
rior to painful feelings, and to deliver her from that anxiety which 
brings weakness upon the soul. Believing views of Jesus and 
of the infinite meril of his sufferings are a ground of much solid 
comfort to the distressed Christian. With what holy boldness 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 231 

may these be plead at a throne of grace, and with much ac- 
ceptance, even when the soul, to its own apprehension, is all 
darkness, confusion, and fear ; pressed down with manifold tempta- 
tions. This is a foundation that cannot be sapped, that standeth 
ever strong, immovably fixed in God. On this Rock of ages 
my dear daughter is built ; therefore, praises at all times, and in 
every situation, should her glad tongue employ. Behold your 
God, and be strong. He lays the foundation of your hope and 
trust in oaths, in promises, in blood. Surely, then, you should 
stand firm as the beaten anvil to the stroke. What should dis- 
courage you ? Or why, with vexing thoughts at any time, should 
your soul be disquieted 1 With a holy fortitude you may look 
forward to death, judgment, and eternity. Though weak and 
poor in yourself, yet, in virtue of your union with the Lord Jesus, 
you may grasp omnipotence, and call it your own. " Who can 
lay any thing to the charge of God's elect V Jesus, your surety, 
hath answered all the demands that law and justice had against 
you ; fly, then, to your strong hold in the day of trouble, and you 
may defy all the powers of earth and hell. 

The sacrament was given in Edinburgh last Sunday, in our 
church. Mr. Randal preached a most delightful sermon upon 
the love of Jesus to his church, " Who loved his church, and 
gave himself for it." I was very poorly in body, but tasted his 
love in my soul. On Monday I was not so well as to be able to 
go abroad ; but my Jesus, on the last day of the feast, gave me 
my portion at home. How tenderly does he deal with his people ! 

Miss N. is just come from B., and tells me Lady C. E. is a 
good deal better ; her pulse come down to seventy-six, and her 
pain much abated ; and surfers with a sweet spirit. May Jesus 
make himself fully known to her, and comfort her in the time of 
trouble. Mrs. H. and family are pretty well. But Lady G. 
will give you all particulars ; therefore I need not take up your 
time and strength. Many thanks for your kind attention in send- 
ing Mrs. Fletcher's letters, &c, &c. She has indeed suffered 
a great loss in the death of such a husband ; but he was highly 
favoured in his last conflict. Happy those who are safely landed. 
Lady G. insisted upon paying for the small books, though I told 
her you had desired I should. So that I have £l 5s. of your 
money : say to what use it should be put. 

I fear the length of this ; do read but a little of it at once. 
May goodness and mercy follow my dear daughter all her days ; 
a large portion of divine love be mixed in every cup, so as to 
conquer every fear ; and at last may she enter the harbour of 
peace and endless bliss in the full triumph of faith. So prays 
her very affectionate friend in Jesus, D. M. 

The affliction and death of friends appear to have excited the 
following seasonable and solemn reflections : — 



232 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

" November 17. O time, swift of wing, how rapid is thy 
flight ! Blessed be God, who has taught me to pierce beyond 
an hour. Yet what cause have I to mourn that I have not more 
fully improved that important talent. Where, Lord, lies the 
defect ? I can appeal to thee, O thou Searcher of hearts, that 
it is my constant desire to fill up every moment with something 
valuable. I fear I too much overlook the present, in expecta- 
tion of something more favourable in future. The awful blanks 
of time are many. How many are numbered with the dead 
during last week ! even among those I knew, either by charac- 
ter or personal acquaintance. But for the joyful prospect of a 
happy eternity, the mutability of all created good would spread 
around our world a black and impenetrable cloud. Blessed be 
God, though all here are shadows, all beyond the grave is ever 
during substance." 

One extract more shall close this year. 

"December 31. I was much disposed this day to spend my 
time with God, to consider my ways, and meditate on the time 
that is past ; met with interruptions, but, being for the profit of 
others, I endeavoured to be satisfied. I asked a token for good 
in the end of this year, as in the former one, and my gracious 
God condescended to give it. How many are my mercies ! this 
last year they have been great. My communion with the Father 
and the Son has been uncommonly sweet and near ; and, since 
the 4th of September, almost uninterrupted. In temporal things, 
also, the hand of my God has been very visible. He has also 
given me much bodily health ; and, when deprived of the means 
of grace through indisposition, he kept my soul as a watered 
garden ; and gave me, in prayer and meditation, delightful en- 
joyment of himself. Lately, also, my God has opened an unex- 
pected door for usefulness. Surely I bend under a load of 
mercies, spiritual and temporal : O for a more grateful heart. 
How shall I sufficiently praise my God and Saviour. Come, 
Lord, and assist me to praise thee in higher strains than ever. 
O come, and accomplish in me thy promises, and all my powers 
shall be greatly enlarged." 



CHAPTER XXL— 1786. 

Death of the Ladies Hope and Glenorchy — Lady Maxwell appointed 
executrix of the latter — Visits England — Meets with the Rev. Alexander 
Mather — Character of — Correspondence with him, and the Rev. 0. 
Atmore. 

This was an eventful and memorable year in the life of Lady 
Maxwell. That sacred bond of union, which nothing in life had 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 233 

been able to dissever, was at once broken up by the irresistible 
and unrelenting arm of death. On the first of January, Lady 
Henrietta Hope bade adieu to all the pains and disquietudes of 
mortality, and entered into life. She had long languished under 
an enfeebled body, and had been called to endure a complication 
of afflictions. While these, sanctified as they were by grace, 
naturally induced her to trim her lamp, and to wait, in an ex- 
pectant attitude, the coming of her Lord ; they also tended to 
prepare her friends for the painful bereavement. Lady Glenor- 
chy was with her at Bath ; a close and unwearied attendant. It 
was her honourable employment to watch over the last lingering 
moments of the dying saint, to soothe the bed of death, and to 
witness the flight of her redeemed and triumphant spirit. 

" But after every medical exertion had proved ineffectual, and 
the medicinal virtue of the wells yielding no relief, she meekly 
rendered up her ransomed soul into the hands of her Redeemer. 
Thus died Lady Henrietta Hope, more full of honour than of 
days, leaving behind her a fair copy of every thing praiseworthy 
and of good report. A considerable part of her property she left 
for pious and charitable purposes."* 

Though Lady Maxwell could not but rejoice to hear that the 
object of her affectionate solicitude had conquered her last enemy, 
and entered into the joy of her Lord, the pang at parting appears 
to have been acute. This is inferred from her expressive 
silence. During this season of suffering she did not venture to 
record her emotions. There is a chasm in her diary of three 
weeks ; a rare case ; and when she resumed her pen, she did not 
even notice the painful occurrence. On some occasions, pro- 
bably, she found that the only way to avoid excessive and inor- 
dinate sorrow was, by laying a powerful restraint upon herself, 
to keep the cause of her distress, as much as possible, absent 
from her mind. It has been a matter of surprise to her most 
intimate friends, that she should so carefully shun all conversa- 
tion relative to the premature loss of her husband and child ; but 
she appears to have been influenced by the above reason. To 
her friend, Miss Ritchie, who had requested from her an account 
of the means by which the Lord brought her to himself, she 
replied, " You ask me to give you the particulars of my awaken- 
ing and conversion ; and how, since, the work of sanctification 
has been carried on. To give you a minute detail of this, would 
carry mc beyond the limits of a letter, and lead me to do violence 
to my temper and feelings ; the former by nature shy, and in this 
respect not entirely conquered by grace ; the latter keen and 
tender ; easily wounded by recalling past scenes of wo, when 
indeed they were tried to the uttermost." To the request of 
her friend she could not, however, remain entirely silent ; and 
therefore proceeded in her usual laconic way on this subject : — 
• Gibbon's Memoirs of Eminently Pious Women, vol. ii, p. 260. 



234 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

" Suffice it to say, I was chosen in the furnace of affliction. The 
Lord gave me all I desired in this world, then took all from me ; 
but immediately afterward sweetly drew me to himself." That 
Lady Maxwell's feelings were exquisite on the present occasion 
will be no cause of surprise. While religion moderates and 
refines the sensibilities of our nature, it, at the same time, im- 
parts a susceptibility which can only be felt by those who are 
the subjects of its influence. She was deprived of her nearest 
and dearest earthly friend ; one for whom she had entertained 
the most cordial and unmixed esteem ; for whose spiritual and 
eternal welfare she had exerted her utmost energies ; and one 
who had ever been most ready to enter with her into every 
measure calculated to meliorate the moral condition of man. 
They had for years walked to the house of God in company ; one 
in sentiment, and one in heart : 



- Nor varied aught 



In public sentence, or in private thought." 

Now they were separated for a season ; the one to enjoy her 
full reward ; while the other remained a few years longer, to 
witness the power of divine grace ; and to prosecute with unde- 
viating fidelity that important work which the great Head of the 
church had in reserve for her. On resuming her pen she wrote 
as follows : — 

"January 21. For these last three weeks I have expected 
greater things than it has pleased my God to bestow. He is 
good ; supremely good when he gives, nor less so when he with- 
holds. But I dare not say that he has withheld altogether. 
He has, in mercy, favoured me with several sweet, though short 
visits, since the first of the month. I have, indeed, had some 
exquisitely painful moments, and felt ready to sink beneath the 
pressure ; but, by trusting in a faithful God, he soon raised me 
up, and has restored an intense thirst for all the mind that was 
in Christ. He has given me a desire equally ardent for power 
to bring forth much fruit, even a hundredfold ; and in tender 
mercy has granted me to see, where I least expected any, some 
good effects of my labour. He does, indeed, enable me to 
strengthen and comfort his own children : to him be all the glory. 
Lord, let a little one become as a thousand : nothing is too hard 
for thee. But what I now principally desire to see, is the con- 
version of sinners. 0, my God ! give me many clear, decided 
proofs of this ; many witnesses for thee, brought out of darkness 
into thy marvellous light. O put energy into the words I speak, 
the letters I write, the prayers I offer, for and with others ! and 
do not suffer me to remain in the world comparatively useless : 
while, at the same time, my heart burns with desire to glorify 
thee in every possible way ; and while I am encouraged to 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 235 

expect much from thy own faithful word of promise. Come, Lord, 
come quickly, and do as thou hast said." 

When her ladyship wrote the above, she appears to have 
attained her former tranquillity : but scarcely were the wounds 
healed, and the tears wiped from the cheek, occasioned by the 
departure of Lady Hope, before Lady Maxwell was again called 
to the work of sacrifice. 

" When sorrows come, they come not single spies, 
But in battalions." 

So, at least, it proved in the present instance. Lady Glenor- 
chy, the next illustrious individual in this threefold union of 
private friendship, and of public worth, " full of plans for the 
glory of God, and good of men," and busy in the prosecution of 
them, returned from Bath to Edinburgh in the beginning of this 
summer. Her friends observed, with concern, her declining 
state of health. She spoke much to them of death, and of her 
persuasion that, to her, it was near ; and uniformly expressed 
her satisfaction and joy at the prospect. Religion, in her, was 
not the production of gloom, either during the progress of life, 
or in the near views of its termination. Almost her last words 
were, " If this be dying, it is the easiest thing imaginable." 
Disease prevailed — and not many hours afterward she expired, 
in the forty-fourth year of her age, at the house of the countess 
of Sutherland, on Monday, the 17th of July, 1786. Of her may 
be said in truth, what with equal propriety cannot be said of 
every departed Christian : " Her path was as the shining light, 
which shineth more and more to the perfect day."* 

On this melancholy occasion, Lady Maxwell ventured to 
record her feelings ; and, in doing this, could not avoid glancing 
at her former loss. On the 21st of this month, four days after 
the demise of her friend, she expressed herself in the following 
manner : — " I have met with a severe and most unexpected 
trial in the death of a dear Christian friend. How mysterious 
are the ways of God ! But we know the Judge of the whole 
earth must do right. Silence, therefore, becomes his creatures, 
under the darkest and most painful dispensations. In mind and 
body, for the last few days, I have been distressed ; and at times 
overwhelmed with grief and astonishment : — 

1 Every sorrow cuts a string, 
And urges us to rise.' 

Yet nothing but sin need hinder my heavenly progress. O 
that my God would now come, and absorb my will in his. May 
he give victory over every spiritual foe, that I may enjoy a 
peaceful habitation in my own soul ; and derive every possible 
improvement from this bereavement. I have now, within these 

* Gibbon's Memoirs, &c, vol, ii, p. 271. 



236 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

seven months, lost two invaluable Christian friends. O to get 
nearer to the fountain, now the streams are cut off. I believe 
that two years ago the Lord gave me warning of what has now 
occurred. The death of these two friends is in some measure 
explanatory of my experience at that time ; but I expect far 
greater things than have as yet happened to make it fully clear 
to me. At present I would stand still, and see the Lord bring- 
ing about his own purposes, and fulfilling to me his own promises. 
I wish to be much in prayer ; I greatly need it. The prayer of 
faith ' shuts or opens heaven.' Come, Lord, and fully turn my 
captivity." 

The solemn and affecting events thus brought under review are 
admirably calculated to teach many important and useful lessons : 
it would indeed be well if the living would lay them to heart. 
But, though there are few reflections more trite, or more readily 
admitted, than that life is uncertain, and must shortly terminate ; — 
that the most delicious sweets of earthly friendship are exceed- 
ingly evanescent ; — that all human greatness 

" • is like a circle in the water, 

Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself, 

Till, by broad spreading, it disperse to naught ;" 

yet, alas ! how feeble the influence which these truths appear to 
have on the actual doings of men in general. This is greatly 
to be lamented. It is thus for want of practically observing 
what is generally known and acknowledged, that the world is 
ruined. The pious Christian, it is sincerely hoped, will not 
overlook or readily forget one particular which claims his atten- 
tion — the ardent and steady affection exercised by these excel- 
lent females toward each other. This affection, as we have seen, 
had to struggle with difficulties ; yet it rose superior to them. 
Though these two ladies differed in sentiment on some important 
points in theology ; though these sentiments, at times, led to 
some collision in their endeavours to do good ; yet, being fully 
convinced that they were both seeking to attain the same grand 
object, difference of sentiment could not resist the claims of mu- 
tual esteem, or diminish from the unfettered exercise of that 
love which thinketh no evil. On the contrary, these firm friends, 
with Lady Hope as their endeared companion, throughout the 
whole of their religious course, exemplified to the church, and 
to the world, the full force of religious principle ; in cementing 
the genuine members of Christ's mystical body in an indissoluble 
union ; and held up an example of pure and disinterested affec- 
tion, worthy the imitation of the whole religious world. 

Lady Maxwell never yielded to the reveries of ungoverned 
fancy, nor was she the creature of wild and undefined impres- 
sions : on the contrary, she ever diligently sought to know the 
will of God, by the legitimate use of every means of grace 
afforded her; and in cases of perplexity and uncertainty she 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 237 

stood still, and gave herself to prayer. Bat in the course of the 
last two years, especially, she had experienced such an intensity 
of desire for the prosperity of Sion ; and had received in answer 
to prayer so many powerful and peculiar applications of Scrip- 
ture promises, in reference to this subject, as led her firmly to 
believe that God was about to enlarge her borders, and to em- 
ploy her in a more extended field of usefulness. She knew not 
the way in which this should be effected ; and frequently ob- 
served that " the aspect of providence seemed to contradict the 
promises ;" yet she could not be tempted to relinquish her hold 
of these promises ; and now it was about to be done to her ac- 
cording to her faith. The cold calculators on what is called a 
rational religion, which goes to exclude all immediate operations 
of the Spirit from the heart, may find some difficulty in account- 
ing for it, but it is a fact which cannot be contradicted : Lady 
Maxwell had long a persuasion which, in her mind, had all the 
influence of an absolute certainty, that God had some great work 
for her to perform, though no intimations of providence appeared 
to authorize such a persuasion. By the will of Lady Glenorchy 
this prophetic impression received its full accomplishment ; and 
what even to Lady Maxwell appeared mysterious was thus 
clearly explained. She was, as before intimated, constituted the 
sole executrix of her deceased friend ; appointed the principal 
superintendent and manager of her numerous chapels, both in 
England and Scotland ; and became thus invested with the dis- 
posal of important funds, for other religious and charitable pur- 
poses. What were the precise powers with which her ladyship 
was intrusted, is not known to the editor ; but they appear to have 
been extensive and almost unlimited. The following extract 
develops her views and feelings on this interesting occasion : — 
" July 28. Since the 25th the Lord hath dealt wonderfully 
with me. By the death of the dear friend mentioned above, and 
by the overruling providence of Him who is the great Disposer 
of all events, an increase of fortune has devolved upon me. 
This, through the grace and strength of the Most High, I firmly 
purpose to use for the promotion of his glory, by endeavouring 
to promote to the utmost his cause and kingdom in the world. 
This is agreeable to the desire of my deceased friend, and con- 
sonant to her practice while it remained in her own possession : 
it also accords with the whole bent of my own soul, and with the 
will of that gracious God who has, for these purposes, intrusted 
me with it. With these views, I have this day attempted to 
make a solemn dedication of myself to him ; with all that he has 
now and formerly given me, or may yet give me ; earnestly im- 
ploring that he would afford me light to discover his will in all 
things necessary for me to know ; and power and inclination 
constantly to comply with it : also much, very much of the wis- 
dom of the serpent, with a large proportion of the harmlessness, 



238 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

of the dove, happily blended ; so as to enable me to manage all 
my affairs with discretion, that in nothing the gospel may be 
blamed ; that I may, besides, be faithful to Him who hath ap- 
pointed me ; rising superior to the smiles or frowns of mortals. 
Thus, my God, I have again given myself to thee : let me 
never live to draw the impious breath that would retract the 
deed ; but may I, to the latest moment, prove the happy effects 
of this and many former self-dedications. The greatest satisfac- 
tion I feel from this bountiful dispensation is its coming to me 
so evidently, so strongly marked with the divine signature. 
This was evident, not only by the powerful impression made on 
my mind by the Spirit of God, as if he had said, ' This comes 
from me? at the very moment the first intimation of it was 
given by man ; but, also, by its being so very explanatory 
of God's dealings with me, for the last two years. What 
has been very mysterious to me is now fully explained. For 
some days the Lord has been leading me to review my spi- 
ritual experience for a number of years : in which I have been 
enabled to trace so clearly the wisdom, the beauty, the propriety, 
and the goodness of his dispensations, both of providence and 
grace, as fills me with wonder and gratitude ; and produces in 
me a deep and powerful conviction of his faithfulness. Lan- 
guage entirely fails me when I would express my sense of obli- 
gation. O that I may ever retain this equally strong. And 
now, Lord, what can thy handmaid say more 1 O may my 
future life speak thy praise ; and do thou come and accomplish 
the promises given for the prosperity of my soul ; then shall it 
be as a watered garden." 

On the 5th of August, Lady Maxwell wrote as follows : — 
" Many difficulties have occurred connected with the important 
business committed to me ; but I feel encouraged to go on in the 
strength of the Lord ; believing that, as the whole matter ori- 
ginated with himself, he will bring me through all, in a proper 
manner. Indeed, he is bringing me, step by step, through these 
difficulties ; and I now see and conclude, without a doubt, that 
this is the great blessing promised me in general, at his own 
table, in May, 1784. This is that active sphere in his cause 
which he promised me years ago ; but for which he enabled me 
firmly to believe at the time alluded to above. Since then 
through what a variety of painful exercises of mind have I passed ; 
but my faithful God has at last brought matters to a crisis ; yet, 
alas ! it is by the loss of a dear Christian friend. I am kept crying 
to the Lord for wisdom, direction, and light. He affords me sweet 
encouragement to expect ail I want ; and he makes his word 
truly profitable to me. He also gives me reason to believe that 
he is carrying on his work in my soul. I can almost believe he 
has imparted the blessing so long sought, perfect love. The be- 
ginnings are but small, and I dare not positively conclude respect- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXAVELL. 239 

ing my state ; but will wait, and expect the Lord to shine upon 
his work. O how graciously has he dealt with me ! How shall 
I sufficiently praise him for his faithfulness and goodness in every 
respect !" 

In this spirit Lady Maxwell entered upon the work assigned 
her ; and, without loss of time, prepared for a journey to England. 
On the 5th of September, she left Edinburgh, and did not return 
until the 18th of October. She visited most of the places where 
Lady Glenorchy's chapels were situated ; and made such arrange- 
ments as she deemed best calculated, by the blessing of God, to 
secure religious prosperity. Her diary does not enter into par- 
ticulars ; but several difficulties are alluded to, which beset her 
path : most of these, however, she was enabled to surmount ; 
and, on her return, devoutly thanked God for direction and assist- 
ance. In one respect, at least, her journey proved highly 
advantageous to herself. At York, where her ladyship tarried 
for some time, she met with the Rev. Alexander Mather. 
" Here," she writes, " I enjoyed many privileges ; especially, in 
conversation and social prayer with that servant of Jesus Christ, 
the Rev. Alexander Mather." An intimate friendship commenced 
between them ; and in her subsequent correspondence with this 
eminent minister of the gospel she will be found to speak without 
reserve. Mr. Mather was, at this time, the superintendent of the 
Wesleyan society in the above city. The following character, 
given of him by his brethren in the ministry, will show that 
Lady Maxwell selected her acquaintance with judgment, and 
knew how to appreciate true excellence : — 

" This venerable man travelled in our connection for forty-two 
years with great success. His usefulness in the church of God 
for a great part of that time, both as a father to the preachers, 
and as a steady supporter of all the branches of Christian dis- 
cipline, was exceedingly great. Very numerous were his spiritual 
children, whom he instrumentally brought to Jesus Christ and 
salvation ; but his grand forte was, the edifying of believers, and 
building up the church of Christ : here he was always at home. 
He was, we may truly say, a blessing to all among whom he 
sojourned. 

" His afflictions during the decline of life were extremely 
painful ; but his confidence and comforts corresponded with his 
deep and extensive acquaintance with the things of God. The 
Lord had been unusually propitious to him, in the natural endow- 
ments of both his body and mind. He rose every morning at 
four o^lock, and could labour till nine at night, without apparent 
fatigue, in duties which required the closest application. In con- 
versation and debate, he entered at once into the spirit of the 
business or subject in hand, and could instantly meet an objection 
with an appropriate reply. He was a perfect master of all the 
minutiae of the doctrines and discipline of Methodism. Hereby he 



240 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

was enabled, from a principle of duty and conscience, to afford 
Mr. Wesley very considerable assistance in the superintendence 
of the societies. His wisdom and experience, his courage and 
perseverance, rendered him an invaluable friend to our connec- 
tion, during some late troubles under which it suffered. He was 
never intimidated through fear of calumny from pursuing those 
plans which he conceived to tend toward the peace and union 
of our societies. His noble soul was elevated above the moment- 
ary opinion of a party. He looked only at the interests and 
glory of the Redeemer's kingdom, and waited for his reward in 
a better world."* 

Lady Maxwell heard Mr. Mather, the night previous to her 
leaving York, preach in his usual luminous manner, on the im- 
portant subject of faith. She was so forcibly impressed with his 
observations that, on the following day, she wrote to request 
him to favour her with an outline of the discourse. The way 
was thus opened for an epistolary intercourse, which was con- 
tinued with mutual benefit until the growing infirmities of age, 
on the part of Mr. Mather, rendered it impracticable. The fol- 
lowing letters will conclude this year : — 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

Easingwould, Oct. 18, 1786. 

Rev. Sir, — The kind attentions you have paid to my best 
interest since I came to England encourage me to hope that 
you will not refuse the request I now make, if only your nume- 
rous engagements will admit of your compliance. I regret that 
I did not mention it this morning before I left York ; but neces- 
sary attention to pecuniary matters and want of time caused it 
to escape me. The favour I mean to ask of you is this, that 
you would employ your first leisure moments in throwing together 
a few thoughts on the words you spoke from last night. To save 
you the trouble of much writing, and that I may have the satis- 
faction of receiving your communication in the course of a post, 
you may write as concisely as possible. And as you possess the 
pen of a ready scribe, I hope you will not find the task imposed, 
in the least burthensome. I found the subject suitable to my 
state ; but, from the causes above mentioned, was prevented 
reaping all the benefit I desired. 

Accept of my best wishes for yourself, and those you stand 
most closely united to by natural ties. I pray that the highest 
expectations of a fond parent may be fully answered in your 
hopeful son. His natural and acquired abilities afford you pleas- 
ing prospects ; and if, to these, is superadded the greatest orna- 

* Minutes of Conference, vol. ii, p. 82. For farther particulars relative 
to the life and labours of this excellent man, the reader may consult the 
Methodist Magazine, for the year 1780, p. 91, and for the year 1801, p. 112. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 241 

ment of human nature, what can you want, to render your hap- 
piness as complete as it can be expected in this vale of tears ; 
except still more of the divine image upon your own soul, and 
yet farther success in your endeavours to promote the cause and 
kingdom of your Master. 

That you may be thus highly favoured is the desire of, 
Rev. sir, 

Your faithful, humble servant, D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

Edinburgh, December 15, 1786. 

Rev. Sir, — I have been much and necessarily occupied with 
temporal concerns, since my return home : this has abridged my 
time for work in which my heart is more engaged, and I have 
thus been prevented returning you many and sincere thanks for 
the sermon. I find it truly profitable, and derive benefit from it 
on every repeated perusal. It inculcates a lesson which it is 
difficult to learn, living by faith. All nature opposes this: yet 
I am convinced that I can only proceed in the divine life in pro- 
portion as I exercise this heavenly principle. And such is the 
present state of my mind, that no sermons, no letters, no books, 
no conversation, are of any use to me, nor do I reap any com- 
fort from them, except they treat of the life of faith. I have not 
yet the evidence my soul requires, that I am possessed of full 
salvation. But the Lord is teaching me many important lessons 
necessarily connected with it. lie so condescends to my weak- 
ness and ignorance as I cannot express. He also makes his 
word in secret a constant source of comfort and encouragement to 
me. In my pursuit of perfect love, I have often lately felt as if just 
at the port of bliss ; my soul has been filled with a hope full of 
immortality, and I have thought the time to favour me was come. 
Yet, still, something has prevented me from taking possession 
of the good land : but I hope this will not long be the case; for 
the Lord has so mould ed my spirit that nothing can satisfy me, 
but constant communion with, and full conformity to, my God. 

The whole world, without this, appears to me an aching void, 
a wilderness of shadows. I suffer keenly from the remains of 
Unbelief. Do assist me to hew this Agag in pieces before the 
Lord. It is a great mountain ; yet, ha I I faith, it would become 
a plain before the groat Zeruhbabel, That I should remain so 
slow of heart to believe, after all the Lord has done for me, and 
all the kindness he i d; Uy showing pae, is truly amazing. 1 
really feej ashamed ; and, yet 1 cannot help it. You say I may, 
but I cannot easily believe this. .May the Lord show me where 
lies the hinderance, aod speedily repiove it. 

I should wish for an hour's conversation every day with you 
and Mrs. Mather : but as that cannot be allowed ine, permit me 
11 



242 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

to ask an interest in your prayers : for I can engage in nothing 
with satisfaction till this great matter is settled. Business is a 
burthen to me ; yet I must attend to it, as so much is committed 
to me. I know the Lord has peculiarly called me to it, and will 
therefore fit me for it ; this is to me a constant source of com- 
fort. Without this conviction I should sink under the load, 
conscious of being unequal to the task. 

Accept of my good wishes for the prosperity of your own soul, 
and for success in the work to which the Lord has called you. 
I hope Mrs. Mather sees much of the fruit of her labours. Re- 
member me kindly to her, and believe me, Rev. sir, 

Your faithful, humble servant, D. Maxwell. 

P. S. I have this day paid into the hands of Mr. Pawson, 
j£3 3s. for the purpose mentioned to you in England. It is the 
widow's mite. I pray it may be blessed. 

TO THE REV. CHARLES ATA10RE.* 

Coates, December 30, 1786. 

Upon recollection I do not find, Rev. sir, that I have any 
thing material to add to the particulars mentioned to you on 
Thursday, concerning Mrs. Thompson :f but as you expressed 
a desire to have my thoughts on that subject in writing, I have 
thrown together a few hasty ones, being much circumscribed in 
point of time. 

I never was in any particular habits of friendship with Mrs. 
T. ; but for some years past being connected with her in church 
fellowship, I had, of course, frequent opportunities of conversing 
with her. From the knowledge thus obtained, I was led to 
regard her as a person possessed of sterling worth, rather than 
shining talents ; as one originally cast in a very amiable mould : 
of gentle manners; sweet, pacific disposition ; full of benevolence 
and good will to all ; rich in good works ; and of great moral 
rectitude. I am inclined to think that her ideas of religion in 
the earlier part of life were rather crude and indigested, but that 
in more advanced years she obtained a clearer view and more 
experimental knowledge of some of the leading doctrines of Chris- 
tianity ; such as the fall of man and his recovery by Christ. 

When convinced of her original depravity, and the absolute 
necessity of a Saviour to restore to the divine favour and image, 

* The Rev. C. Atmore was, at the period of this date, one of the Wes- 
leyan ministers stationed in Edinburgh. Having obtained help of God, he 
continues to this day ; enjoying the esteem of his brethren and the affection 
of thousands, and is at present the superintendent of the London east cir- 
cuit,— (1821.) 

f Mrs. Thompson was a pious, steady member of the society, in Edin- 
burgh, for many years. It will be gratifying to her surviving friends to see 
this short sketch of her character by the pen of Lady Maxwell. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 243 

she set out in good earnest in the ways of God : nor ever slack- 
ened her pace till called home to receive her great reward. 
Being remarkably constant in her attendance on all the means 
of grace, she quickly found that " the hand of the diligent 
maketh rich." She soon obtained " the knowledge of salvation, 
by the remission of sins ;" and I believe never after lost that 
antepast of heaven. 

Thus happy in her own soul, her heart, deeply dyed with 
generous kindness, expanded in large and fervent desires that 
multitudes might share in the superlative felicity which she 
enjoyed. This led her, as Christian prudence directed, to be 
instant in season and out of season, to promote, in every pos- 
sible way, the spiritual interests of her fellow creatures. 

Toward the close of life, it seemed good to the great Disposer 
of all events to visit her with various trials ; more especially the 
death of two hopeful sons. Here all her maternal feelings were 
called forth, and keenly exercised ; but, in the midst of severe 
distress, she maintained a deportment worthy the character 
which she sustained. She bore these bereaving afflictions, not 
with the stoical apathy of the philosopher, but with the tender 
sensibility and noble firmness of the Christian happily blended. 
She kissed the rod that smote her, and bowed in sweet submis- 
sion to the divine will. 

Her mind seemed raised superior to the fears of death. She 
rather wished, and sometimes expressed, a desire for dissolution ; 
and God soon gave her the desire of her heart. The almighty 
fiat went forth, — death came commissioned to put an end to all 
her sufferings. During the concluding scene she appeared full 
of peaceful resignation, but spoke little ; the force of disease, in 
some measure, laying an embargo upon the powers of speech. 
Thus lived and died this excellent woman. She is now where 
the inhabitants say not they are sick. As Christians, it is our 
privilege to reap permanent advantage by every such providen- 
tial dispensation. 

" For us they sicken, and for us they die." 

With good wishes for your spiritual prosperity, and great suc- 
cess in your ministerial labours, I remain, Rev. sir, 

Your obliged, humble servant in the bonds of the gospel, 

D. Maxwell. 



244 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 



CHAPTER XXII.— 1787. 

Difference of opinion entertained by Christians on the nature and extent 
of salvation — Lady Maxwell's sentiments on this subject — Attains full 
salvation — Her views with regard to the Trinity — She establishes Sab- 
bath-day schools — Corresponds with Miss Ritchie, Mr. Mather, and Mr. 
Atmore. 

The views entertained by Christians on the nature and extent 
of gospel salvation must be of the utmost importance. If these 
are erroneous, their pursuit after it will be more or less retarded. 
And yet it is to be lamented that difference of sentiment has 
long obtained on this highly momentous subject. While all the 
sincere disciples of Jesus insist on the absolute necessity of 
holiness in order to final salvation, they are not agreed with 
respect to the degrees of holiness attainable on earth ; or, rather, 
as it respects the time when this holiness may be received. 
Some, from a deep conviction of the entire and radical depravity 
of human nature, and from a consciousness of the numerous im- 
perfections which attach to us as men, have denied the possi- 
bility of our being delivered from the remains of the carnal mind 
until the article of death ; or, at least, conceive that God does, 
for wise and gracious purposes, suffer his people to struggle 
with their innate corruptions, so long as they remain in the body ; 
that, though sin is subdued, it is not eradicated ; that, though it 
does not reign, yet it maintains a warfare within, until mortality 
is swallowed up of life. Others, with views equally correct on 
the depth and malignity of human depravity, and equally con- 
scious of unavoidable imperfections, conceive that they see 
enough in the Scriptures to authorize them to expect a full and 
a present salvation : not only from the guilt and dominion of 
outward sin, but also from the very remains of corruption in 
their hearts. They see an extent and efficacy ascribed to the 
atoning blood, sufficient to wash away all moral pollution : 
" Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all 
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of 
good works :" — " the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth 
us from all sin." They are encouraged to expect the entire 
benefit of this renewing and cleansing process, by numerous 
exceeding great and precious promises : " Then will I sprinkle 
clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean ; from all your 
filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. I will also 
save you from all your uncleannesses." " If we confess our 
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse 
us from all unrighteousness." " Having these promises," they 
cleanse themselves " from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, per- 
fecting holiness in the fear of God." While they pray that God 
would " sanctify them wholly, body, soul, and spirit, and preserve 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 245 

them blameless to the coming of the Lord Jesus :" they believe 
it to be their imperious duty, and their exalted privilege, to love 
and serve God with all their heart, and soul, and mind ; to " be 
perfect, as their Father, who is in heaven, is perfect." And 
having this hope in them, "they purify themselves, even as he 
is pure." " Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, they 
are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the 
Spirit of the Lord." Thus they " increase with all the increase 
of God," until they attain to the " full stature of a perfect man 
in Christ."* 

* As there is still afloat much mistake and misrepresentation on this 
important branch of Christian doctrine and experience, the editor deems it 
expedient to subjoin the following extract from Mr. Wesley's " Plain Ac- 
count of Christian Perfection." 

" Q. What is Christian perfection? 

" A. The loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This 
implies that no wrong temper, none contrary to love, remains in the soul ; 
and that all the thoughts, words, and actions are governed by pure love. 

" Q. Do you affirm that this perfection excludes all infirmities, ignorance, 
and mistake ? 

" A. I continually affirm quite the contrary, and always have done so. 

" Q. But how can every thought, word, and work be governed by pure 
love, and the man be subject at the same time to ignorance and mistake ? 

" A. I see no contradiction here. ' A man may be filled with pure love, 
and still be liable to mistake.' Indeed I do not expect to be freed from 
actual mistakes till this mortal put on immortality. I believe this to be a 
natural consequence of the soul's dwelling in flesh and blood. For we 
cannot now think at all, but by the mediation of those bodily organs which 
have suffered equally with the rest of our frame. And hence we cannot 
avoid sometimes thinking wrong, till this corruptible shall have put on 
incorruption. 

" But we may carry this thought farther yet. A mistake in judgment 
may possibly occasion a mistake in practice : for instance, Mr. De Renty's 
mistake touching the nature of mortification, arising from prejudice of 
education, occasioned that practical mistake, his wearing an iron girdle. 
And a thousand such instances there may be, even in those who are in the 
highest state of grace. Yet, where every word and action springs from 
love, such a mistake is not properly a sin. However, it cannot bear the 
rigour of God's justice, but needs the atoning blood. 

" Q. What was the judgment of all our brethren who met at Bristol, in 
August, 1758, on this head? 

"A. It was expressed in these words: 1. Every one may mistake as 
long as he lives. 2. A mistake in opinion may occasion a mistake in prac- 
tice. 3. Every such mistake is a transgression of the perfect law. There- 
fore, 4. Every such mistake, were it not for the blood of the atonement, 
would expose to eternal damnation. 5. It follows that the most perfect 
have continual need of the merits of Christ, even for their actual transgres- 
sions, and may say for themselves, as well as for their brethren, ' Forgive 
us our trespasses.' 

" This easily accounts for what might otherwise seem to be utterly un- 
accountable, namely, that those win. arc not offended when we speak of 
the bighesl degree of love, yet will not hear of living without sin. The 
reason i \ they know all men are liable to mistake, ami that in practice as 
well as in judgment. But they <!<> not know, or do not observe, that this 
is not sin, if love is the sole principle of action. 

" Q. But still, if they live without sin, does not this exclude the neces- 



246 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

That the latter sentiments were those entertained by Lady 
Maxwell, on this important branch of Christian doctrine and 
experience, has been already abundantly manifest. While she 
believed every particle of good in man flows to him through the 
medium of atoning blood, she beheld an infinite worth in that 
atonement, to procure for her the highest possible degrees of 
grace; and a sufficient efficacy in the grace of God, fully to 
transform her into the divine image. She durst not, therefore, 
limit the Almighty, or prescribe any boundaries to the operations 
of his grace on the human heart : but, on the contrary, from the 
period she obtained justifying mercy, she invariably hungered 
and thirsted after full salvation — to be delivered from all inward 
corruption, and to be filled with all the fulness of God. She 
had often "felt as if just at the port of bliss ;" and, to continue 
the figure, soon after the commencement of this year, she entered 
into this haven of rest. And, — though she sunk deeper into self- 
abasement, became more completely sensible of her entire de- 

sity of a Mediator ? At least, is it not plain that they stand no longer in 
need of Christ in his priestly office ? 

" A. Far from it. None feel their need of Christ like these ; none so 
entirely depend upon him. For Christ does not give life to the soul 
separate from, but in and with himself. Hence his words are equally true 
of all men, in whatsoever state of grace they are : ' As the branch cannot 
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye 
abide in me : without (or separate from) me ye can do nothing.' 

"In every state we need Christ in the following respects : 1. Whatever 
grace we receive, it is a free gift from him. 2. We receive it as his pur- 
chase, merely in consideration of the price he paid. 3. We have this 
grace not merely from Christ, but in him. For our perfection is not like 
that of a tree which flourishes by the sap derived from its own root, but, 
as was said before, like that of a branch, which, united to the vine, bears 
fruit ; but, severed from it, is dried up and withered. 4. All our blessings, 
temporal, spiritual, and eternal, depend on his intercession for us, which is 
one branch of his priestly office, whereof therefore we have always equal 
need. 5. The best of men still need Christ in his priestly office to atone 
for their omissions, their shortcomings, (as some not improperly speak,) 
their mistakes in judgment and practice, and their defects of various kinds. 
For these are all deviations from the perfect law, and consequently need 
an atonement. Yet that they are not properly sins, we apprehend may 
appear from the words of St. Paul, ' He that loveth hath fulfilled the law, 
for love is the fulfilling of the law,' Rom. xiii, 10, 12. Now mistakes and 
whatever infirmities naturally flow from the corruptible state of the body, 
axe no way contrary to love, nor, therefore, in the Scripture sense, sin. 

" To explain myself a little farther on this head. 1. Not only sin, pro- 
perly so called, that is voluntary transgression of a known law, but sin 
improperly so called, that is, an involuntary transgression of a divine law, 
known or unknown, needs the atoning blood. 2. I believe there is no 
such perfection in this life as excludes these involuntary transgressions, 
which I apprehend to be naturally consequent on the ignorance and mis- 
takes inseparable from mortality. 3. Therefore sinless perfection is a phrase 
I never use, lest I should seem to contradict myself. 4. I believe a person 
filled with the love of God is still liable to these involuntary transgressions. 
5. Such transgressions you may call sins, if you please : I do not, for the 
reasons above mentioned." — Wesley's Works, vol. vi, pp. 500, 501. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 247 

pendence on the Saviour, and continued to thirst after a growing 
conformity to God, — yet, after waiting for the most satisfactory 
evidence, both from the icitness and fruit of the Spirit, she was 
constrained to bear her steady, decided, and consistent testi- 
mony, that the bitter root of sin was destroyed. 

Lady Maxwell's experience from this time, to use her own 
expression, evidently "ran in a deeper channel." She had for 
years " walked with God," but now her walk became more in- 
timate and familiar. She had long felt " the powers of the world 
to come ;" after this, she frequently felt as if on the borders of 
immortality, holding converse with its heavenly inhabitants. 
Her faith became so vigorous as, in a great measure, to draw 
aside the veil of sensible things ; and enabled her to contemplate 
with a steady eye invisible and eternal realities. While an in- 
describable emptiness appeared impressed on all terrestrial ob- 
jects, " the whole affectionate powers of her soul" were con- 
centrated and fixed on Jehovah. To promote the glory of God, 
to extol the riches of his grace, to exalt the Saviour, to recom- 
mend redeeming love, to seek the salvation of souls, was, espe- 
cially from this period, her only and delightful employment. 
This was the element in which she lived, and moved, and 
breathed. And though still conscious of her own nothingness 
and weakness, — though still the subject of temptation, called to 
wrestle with principalities and powers, and the rulers of the 
darkness of this world, — yet her spiritual enjoyments became 
more deep, solid, constant; her frames less subject to fluctua- 
tion. The pious and judicious will not, therefore, be either sur- 
prised or discouraged if they find, in her subsequent experience, 
an acquaintance and familiarity with the deep things of God not 
common to the generality of Christians. 

Her views respecting the sacred and sublime doctrine of the 
Trinity, deserve particularly to be examined with modesty and 
caution. " She considered that the revelation which God has 
made of himself to man must needs be very partial; sufficient, 
however, for every practical and saving purpose ; that no re- 
vealed truth is of a merely speculative nature, but that every one 
is designed to produce a practical influence on our mind and 
conduct, on our duties or privileges. The doctrine of three dis- 
tinct divine subsistences in the one indivisible God, is a revealed 
truth, and on the authority of that revelation the Christian be- 
lieves it : but in her view, and in her experience, this grand 
truth was not merely believed but knoivn. The revelation of 
the doctrine is not for speculation ; its direct influence on con- 
duct is not easy to sec ; then it must wear an important aspect 
on the Christian's privileges." Thus her ladyship thought; and 
believed that she received divine manifestations from each per- 
son in the ever blessed Trinity ; and enjoyed a distinct commu- 
nion with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; frequently quoting, 



248 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

as confirmatory of her views and feelings, a passage which often 
afforded her peculiar consolation. " He that hath my command- 
ments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me ; and he that 
loveth me shall be loved of my Father ; and I will love him, and 
will manifest myself to him." " If a man love me he will keep 
my words : and my Father will love him, and we will come unto 
him, and make our abode with him," John iv, 21, 23. 

At first these glorious manifestations of Deity excited her sur- 
prise, and were even accompanied with a sacred awe, amounting 
almost to dread. She knew not how to account for them, and 
feared lest her apprehensions and feelings might lead her astray. 
She therefore long pondered these things in her heart, and re- 
mained silent ; but becoming more satisfied of the reality of her 
experience, she ventured to open her mind to a few of her pious 
and spiritual advisers. What were the sentiments of Mr. Ma- 
ther on this interesting subject is not known : but in July of this 
year Mr. Wesley wrote to her ladyship as follows : — 

" After Miss Roe, first, and then Miss Ritchie, had given me 
so particular an account of that branch of their experience, I ex- 
amined, one by one, the members of the select society in Lon- 
don on that head. But I found very few, not above nine or ten, 
who had any conception of it. I think there are three or four 
in Dublin who likewise speak clearly and scripturally of having 
had such a manifestation of the several persons in the ever 
blessed Trinity. Formerly I thought this was the experience 
of all those that were perfected in love. But I am now clearly 
convinced that it is not. Only a few of these are favoured with 
it. It was indeed a wonderful instance of divine mercy that, at 
a time when you were so encumbered with the affairs of this 
world, you should have so much larger a taste of the powers of 
the world to come." In a subsequent letter, he says : — " Mr. 
Charles Perronet was the first person I was acquainted with who 
was favoured with the same experience as the Marquis de 
Renty, with regard to the ever blessed Trinity.* I have, as yet, 

* The Marquis de Renty descended from one of the most noble houses 
of Artois. He was the only son of Charles de Renty, and was born in the 
year 1611, at Beny, in Lower Normandy. In early life, the reading of 
" Kempis on the Imitation of Christ," made a powerful impression on his 
mind ; and, by the blessing of God, induced him to seek the one thine need- 
ful, the salvation of his soul. At the age of twenty-two he married Eliza- 
beth de Balsac, daughter of the Count of Graville. When he had reached 
the age of twenty-seven it pleased God to touch his heart more powerfully, 
and this time he marked as the beginning of his entire change and perfect 
consecration to the service of God. From this period he became a burning 
and shining light, adorning in all things the doctrine of God his Saviour. 
But his race was short : he died at Paris, on the 24th of April, 1649, in the 
thirty-eighth year of his age. The passage in his Life to which Mr. W. 
alludes above, is as follows : — " I bear in me ordinarily an experimental 
verity and a plenitude of the most holy Trinity, which elevates me to a 
simple view of God ; and with that I do all that his providence enjoins me, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 249 

found but very few instances ; so that it is not (as I was at first 
apt to suppose) the common privilege of all that are ' perfect in 
love.' "* 

The above quotations sufficiently show that these peculiar sen- 
timents were, at the time alluded to, entertained only by few in- 
dividuals ; and it is believed such experience is at present rarely 
heard of. Christians will doubtless form different opinions on 
this subject. Some, probably with an unbecoming temerity, and 
without hesitation, will proscribe the whole of it as undisguised 
mysticism : — others will impute it to a misguiding imagination : — 
many will conclude that what was peculiar might arise from the 
mind dwelling particularly on the different parts of the divine 
economy, in the work of human redemption. Others again will 
refer it to the difficulty of clothing in mortal language the pure 
and sublime enjoyments of " a soul in commerce with her God :" 
while a few, from a correspondence of feeling and enjoyment, 
may find no difficulty in receiving, without any qualification, the 
testimony of such persons as De Renty, Perronet, and Maxwell. 
All, however, will do well to remember that it is a subject, not 
of speculation, but of experience. This may tend to throw 
around our decisions the chastenings of a becoming modesty : it 
may lead to the humble inquiry, How far am I qualified to de- 
cide at all ? It may even tend to suspend the judgment, and to 
save from the folly of hasty dogmatism, until we have attained 
to the same entire devotedness to God as had been attained by 
the pious lady whose testimony we are at present canvassing. 
And all will do well to remark, that her ladyship only deemed 
those manifestations of mercy valuable, in proportion as they 
tended to transform her into the divine likeness. Besides, what- 
ever may be the opinions entertained on this subject, we shall not 
err if we still say with Mr. Wesley, when writing to one of the 
above pious individuals, " There is nothing better, in heaven or 
earth, than love ! There cannot be, unless there were something 
higher than the God of love. So that we see distinctly what we 
have to aim at. We see the prize, and the way to it. Here is' 
the height, here is the depth of Christian experience ! ' God is 
love : and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in 
him.' " 

ding any thing for their greatness or littleness, but. only the order 
of God, and the glory they may render him." See an extract of the Life 
of M.dc Renty, by Mr. Wesley. 

* Wesley's Works, vol. vii, p. 20, 27. 

" He," says Jeremy Taylor, " who goes about to speak of the mystery 

of the Trinity, and does it by words and names of man's invention, talking 

i and existences, hypostases, and personalities, priorities in co- 

eqoalities, and unity in pluralities, may amuse himself, and build a taber- 

is bead, and talk of something, lie knows not what: butthegood 

ol the IViiikr; to whom the Son is become 

wisdom, samtificalion, and righteousness ; and in whose heart the Spirit is 

11* 



250 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Lady Maxwell's benevolence also continued to expand in pro- 
portion to her piety : her faith and works still walked hand in hand. 
Though she had, by the wise providence of God, recently en- 
tered upon a new and extensive field of labour, which was likely 
to occasion much solicitude, and to afford ample scope for the 
exercise of all her powers, she was still on the look-out for fresh 
schemes of usefulness, for new methods of doing good. She 
had for years thankfully witnessed the gracious effects produced 
by the religious instruction of children, fostered by her ma- 
ternal care in her own charity school ; and was thus well pre- 
pared to hail and welcome the dawn of a new and glorious era, 
which had already begun to shed its light and influence, and to 
dispel the darkness which for generations had fatally brooded 
around the habitations of the British poor. About five or six 
years previous to this period, the immortal Raikes had com- 
menced his benevolent operations in the city of Gloucester ; his 
example and success had in a measure roused the attention of 
the humane and pious, and Sunday-school establishments were 
gradually rising up in England to adorn and exalt our country, 
and to carry the tidings of salvation and the blessings of Chris- 
tianity into the most humble dwelling of the most obscure ham- 
let in our land. 

The first intelligence of these important and salutary efforts 
would doubtless be received by her ladyship with joyful emo- 
tion ; and while others were hesitating and perplexing themselves 
with doubtful conjectures, she hastened to class herself with the 
most zealous and active patrons of Sabbath-day schools. It 
does not appear that any thing in this way had as yet been 
attempted in Scotland ; and the majority, even among the well 
disposed, were for some time inclined to think that the regular 

shed abroad ; this man, though he understands nothing of what is unintelli- 
gible, yet he alone truly understands the Christian doctrine of the Trinity." 
The editor knows no author who has written on this sublime doctrine 
with such an immediate reference to the experience and privileges of be- 
lievers as Dr. John Owen, in his valuable work, entitled, "Of Commu- 
nion ivith God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, (each Person dis- 
tinctly) in Love, Grace, and Consolation." And he would earnestly 
recommend to his pious reader, especially if called to minister in the sanc- 
tuary, a diligent and serious perusal of this devout and able treatise. It is 
} (resumed that he would then feel less difficulty in admitting any pecu- 
iarity in phraseology, or strength of expression, he may meet with in the 
present volume. This justly celebrated writer, after having enlarged on 
the nature of communion in general, proceeds, with his usual ability, to 
show " that the saints have distinct communion with the Father, and 
the Sox, and the Holy Spirit, (that is, distinctly with the Father, and 
distinctly with the Son, and distinctly with the Holy Spirit,) and in 
what the peculiar appropriation of this distinct communion unto the several 
persons doth consist." 

Those who would prefer a judicious abridgment of this work, freed from 
the peculiarities of the author's creed, may meet with it in the " Christian 
Library," vol. x, p. 409, &c. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 251 

parochial schools, established in the southern parts of that en- 
lightened country, superseded the necessity of any other means 
for the instruction of the rising generation. So far as a com- 
mon education, or a mere ability to read, is concerned, this might 
be true ; but still the chief, the essential object, aimed at by 
Sabbath schools, was wanting — the serious and solemn inculcation 
of religious principle, and of religious precept. Lady Maxwell 
and other pious associates perceived that, as it respected the 
observance of the Sabbath, and the more direct business of reli- 
gious instruction, the children of Scotland, like those of the 
sister kingdom, were entirely left to the care of their parents ; 
multitudes of whom, indifferent to the welfare of their own 
souls, felt no solicitude for the salvation of their offspring. Com- 
miserating the case of these unfortunate youth, Lady Maxwell 
promptly determined to establish several Sabbath schools under 
herown immediate patronage ; and applied to her correspondents 
in England for such information as might help to guide her in the 
prosecution of her pious purpose. 

This spark of benevolence being once elicited soon burst into a 
holy flame ; and, in the course of this year, the friends of reli- 
gion in Edinburgh formed the pious resolution of collecting to- 
gether, on the evening of each returning Sabbath, as many of 
the children of the poor as possible, for the express purpose of 
imparting to them religious knowledge. This institution is still 
in active and very extensive operation. It's friends and sup- 
porters had for a season to struggle against the influence of pre- 
judice ; but,"happily for the poor children of North Britain, these 
prejudices, in general, have long since been subdued. Patient 
and persevering, though noiseless activity in this labour of love, 
by different denominations of Christians, has finally succeeded 
and, instead of having still to encounter a cold and doubting op- 
position, they now see the religious instruction of youth by Sab- 
bath schools resorted to, from their own metropolis to the re- 
motest corners of the land. But we ought never to forget how 
much we are indebted to those pious individuals who first, almost 
solitary and alone, broke up the fallow ground ; and, in spite of 
the sullenness of indifference, the scowl of suspicion, and the 
sneer of contempt, continued to sow the good seed: — they la- 
boured, and we have entered into their labours.* 

But Lady Maxwell shall again speak for herself. 

* In order to revive and encourage the numerous schools already in exist- 
ence, and to accelerate the formation of others throughout the country, 
an institution denominated "Thk Sabbath-School Union for Scot- 
land," whs established al EdiriBurgh, rathe beginning of 1816. In less 
■iiencernent the committee had the pleasure of re- 
porting, that 32 1 schools, containing 22,827 children, were already embraced 
under their bond of union. The editor has not in his possession a later 
report, but believes that the field of operation has been greatly enlarged. 



252 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

TO MISS RITCHIE. 

Coates, January 5, 1787. 

I unite with you in praising our gracious God, who deals so 
bountifully with you in sickness and in health! How great is 
his goodness ! It is also matter of thankfulness, that he has en- 
larged your sphere of usefulness. How high the honour, how 
rich the privilege, to live and act lor God. " My soul doth 
magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Sa- 
viour." He hath lately increased my fellowship with heaven : 
time seems with me almost swallowed up in eternity. In me- 
ditation I dwell much in that unbounded space. How contract- 
ed are our views while confined within the limits of time ; here 
there are no objects in any degree adequate to the vast desires 
of an immortal soul ; but, viewing eternity, what a boundless pros- 
pect appears, what a full scope may we there give to our most 
extensive wishes. There all our holy affections may roam at 
large, and find abundance of objects perfectly suited in kind and 
duration to their nature. 

The Lord has taught me many important lessons within these 
six months, and I feel very desirous of learning every thing he- 
would have me to know. Every new acquisition of divine and 
experimental knowledge leads to fresh discoveries of my igno- 
rance. Though the Lord deals thus kindly with me I have not 
that degree of evidence which perfectly satisfies me that the 
work of sanctification is fully wrought in my soul ; yet I think 
it increases. And what matter of praise is it that now, when I 
am obliged to be so much more than ever formerly occupied in 
temporal affairs, my mind is not deranged by them ; that still 
the whole bent of my soul is to God. The more he gives me of 
the world, the more clearly he makes me see its emptiness ; — 
it recedes, it disappears, it lessens in my view. A considerable 
part of Lady G.'s fortune is by her appropriated to different pur- 
poses, which gives me much to do ; but I see it as the work the 
Lord has assigned me, and I engage on this account the more 
heartily in it ; but I have much need of the prayers of God's 
people for a large increase of heavenly wisdom. I doubt not 
you will continue to bear me and my burthens before the Lord ; 
and do entreat him, that all Aw will in this affair may take place ; 
that his counsel may stand. 

and that these benevolent efforts are still continued with unabated vigour 
and increasing success. 

From the recent important suggestions and powerful reasonings of that 
eminent philanthropist and divine, the Rev. Dr. Chalmers, may we not 
hope that a host of new operators, and new energies, will be called into 
action ; and that the ultimate object of diffusing religious light and influ- 
ence throughout the whole mass of the rising veneration, will, at least, be 
greatly accelerated ? — Vide the Christian and Civic Economy of large Town*. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 253 

It gave me pain to be so near you in October last, and not to 
see you ; but it was necessarily so. I found it good to mingle 
with the excellent ones of the earth at that time. When called 
in providence to be again in the south I hope to enjoy the privi- 
lege of visiting your peaceful habitation. O that every revolv- 
ing season may meet us pressing on in the heavenly road ; 
ripening apace for eternity ; filling up the few remaining mo- 
ments for and with our God ! And at last, may an abundant en- 
trance be administered unto us. May we enter the heavenly port 
in full sail. D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

Coates, January 16, 1787. 

I am much indebted to you, Rev. sir, for your kind attention to 
my best interests ; but infinitely more so to your dear Lord and 
Master, who has dealt very bountifully with me since my last to 
you. Some little time ago the Lord Jesus visited my soul in a 
most delightful manner, when joining with a Christian friend in 
prayer, praise, &c. I feel a poverty of expression when I attempt 
to say what I enjoyed at that time : words cannot convey an 
adequate idea of it. Jesus sweetly attracted my heart, and 
arrested all the affectionate powers of my soul. He appeared 
in his native beauty, shining with the milder beams of his media- 
torial glory. In the evening of the same day, while hearing a 
sermon preached iu my own house, God the Father, in solemn 
majesty, drew near. I felt sensibly the approach of Deity : 
I seemed filled with a heaven of silent love and sacred awe. 
Since then my fellowship has been uninterruptedly with the 
Father and with the Son. In secret prayer and meditation, I 
am permitted to converse with my God and Saviour, as a man 
with his friend ; nay, even when engaged in worldly business, 
this heavenly intercourse is not suspended. What is man that 
God should deal thus wonderfully w 7 ith him ! I write thus 
particularly to you, because I know both Mrs. Mather and you 
were much interested in my spiritual prosperity. My unbelief is 
now almost conquered : but still I feel led to cry mightily to the 
Lord, that he may give me still stronger evidence of the work 
being wrought. Satan says it is only an increase of communion 
with heaven ; therefore, I plead for the most unequivocal marks 
of sanctijication. In the meantime my enjoyment is great; 
not ecstatic joy, but peace, divine peace, flowing as a river, 
constantly supplied by believing views of the Father and Son. 

Thus far 1 had written yesterday, when necessary avocations 
called me away. To-day I resume my pen, and with it the 
delightful theme of redeeming love. I feel pressed in spirit 
to testily anew <•!' the loving kindness of the Lord. He fed 
me last night and this morning on angel's food. I was per- 
mitted to come very near, even to the footstool of his throne, 



254 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

and to ask what I would. I seemed to have power to prevail 
with God. Whatever unbelief may afterward suggest, I cer- 
tainly, at present, through superabounding mercy, dwell in love, 
and in God, and God in me. Yet still I thirst for more : 

" Insatiate, to the spring I fly, 
I drink, and yet am ever dry." 

But still I have no rapturous joy ; no, it is the calm serenity 
of a summer's day without a cloud, that fills, yea, overflows 
my soul. O to Jesus how infinitely indebted. I hope Mrs. 
Mather and you will assist me with your prayers that the Lord 
may confirm and establish my soul : that he may maintain what 
he has wrought for me, and not to suffer any enemy whatever to 
rob me of it. I cannot help remarking how well timed the 
goodness of the Lord is ; how peculiarly suited is this sensible 
increase to the situation I have been in for many months ; im- 
mersed in temporal business, which as yet is enveloped in 
confusion and difficulty, sufficient to dissipate the mind alto- 
gether, at least the mind of a female. Through mercy, upon 
the whole, I have been kept calm on tumult's wheel ; enabled 
to commit all to Him who rules in heaven and earth : only 
asking that Ms will may take place, and all his counsel stand. 
I hope matters are at last drawing toward a crisis. I now 
wait the ultimatum of Doctors^ Commons. This, as the der- 
nier resort, must determine upon which will administration is 
to be granted. Wishing you and your wife every spiritual 
blessing, I remain, Rev. sir, 

Your obliged, faithful, humble servant in the Lord, 

D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

February 2, 1787. 
Since my last the Lord has again made bare his holy arm in 
my behalf. 

" Where shall my wondering soul begin to tell 
His love, immense, unsearchable :" 
"All my words are faint, 
Celestial love no eloquence can paint." 

Suffice it to say, the Lord has kindled such a flame of divine love 
in my heart as I trust will never be extinguished, but burn 
brighter and brighter till it mingles with the blaze of eternal day. 
To confirm my soul in the grace given, my God again came 
down in solemn majesty. This sacred grandeur peculiarly 
marks, of late, my intercourse with the Father. My soul sensibly 
felt his solemn approach ; and said, without a voice, God is here. 
Soon after, the powers of darkness, if not commissioned, were 
permitted to level all their envenomed darts against me, and I 
sustained a hot engagement for many hours : but felt determined, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 255 

through grace, not to yield a hair's breadth to the enemy, nor to 
rest satisfied without a decided victory. This, through super- 
abounding mercy. I obtained. The following day, being Sunday, 
I took the sacrament at the Octagon, where I enjoyed nothing 
very remarkable ; but in my way home to Coates, the Lord 
Jesus drew near ; not in the overwhelming greatness of sove- 
reign majesty, or the dazzling brightness of unveiled glory ; no, 
it was Deity clothed with the robes of mediatorial glory that, 
with an irresistible attraction, absorbed the affectionate powers 
of my soul. He condescended to converse with his creature, 
and permitted me to speak to him as a man with his friend. 

" No more can be in mortal sounds express'd, 
But vast eternity shall tell the rest." 

If a taste of divine love be thus transporting, what ecstacies 
must the happy soul enjoy when permitted to drink its fill at 
those streams that flow from the throne of God for ever. Some 
hours after, when conversing with a friend, my condescending 
Lord again came nigh, and drew my heart from earth away, and 
all created good. But great as were these two glorious inter- 
views, they were small compared with a third I was favoured 
with that same night. When musing alone on the goodness of God, 
Jesus came to me, with such a fulness of light, of love, of hea- 
ven, as well nigh overwhelmed my ravished soul. The inter- 
course was so near, so heavenly, I really began to think the 
period was at hand when my connection with mortality would be 
dissolved. Surely I was much awake to the life of heaven- 
born spirits ; surely I tasted all the joy of angels. My happy 
soul cried out, 

" O love divine, all love excelling, 

Joy of heaven, to earth come down." 

It was immediately suggested that what I most needed was 
greater degrees of conformity to the divine image : I then ear- 
nestly plead that my gracious Lord would bestow this upon 
me. In these repeated interviews with heaven, though admitted 
into communion with the triune Deity, I experienced no ecstatic 
transport of joy, but a calm delighting in all the silent heaven 
of divine love. How unspeakably great my obligations to sove- 
reign grace ! My communion and fellowship is at some times, 
to my apprehension, more peculiarly with the Father, at other 
times with the Son, as two distinct persons of the Trinity, 
though the same in substance. My perception of the personality 
of the Holy Ghost is not so clear. I seem to know him best as 
a divine agent for the Father and the Son, if I may so speak. 
Is this scriptural experience 1 I write thus particularly to you, 
because I find your letters peculiarly useful to me, as I did your 
conversation when in the south ; and I wish to use every help 



256 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

for the establishment of my soul. I dread sinking in any mea- 
sure from that degree of spiritual life I now enjoy. Nature 
would impose silence, but grace forbids the prohibition. I there- 
fore endeavour to do violence in this respect to my natural tem- 
per ; and speak of the goodness of the Lord to my soul, as 
Christian prudence directs ; but my present situation admits of 
few opportunities. 

I rejoice to hear that the work of the Lord prospers in your 
hands, and that Mrs. W. is made a happy partaker of the pure 
love of God. I pray that many witnesses of it may be raised 
up : with you, with us, and in every part of the Lord's vineyard. 
I believe I stand alone here, which calls for great grace, and a 
very clear work, both as to the witness and the fruit. I do hope 
all the features of the new creature are drawn upon my soul, but 
many retouches of the divine pencil will be necessary to perfect 
the work. The work appears to me as yet small, though ripen- 
ing into maturity ; therefore, I feel a little shy to say much 
about it. I should sooner believe your account of the matter, 
if I did not think you viewed it through a partial medium. I 
return grateful thanks for your kind attention, and Mrs. Mather's ; 
and am, Rev. sir, 

Your much obliged humble servant in Jesus, 

D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. A. MATHER. 

Coates, March 11, 1787. 
I know 7 you wish to hear of the prosperity of my soul, and I am 
thankful I can say, the Lord still continues to do me good. He 
keeps me constantly looking to him for the continuance of his 
favour, and an increase of grace. God the Father has again 
condescended to visit my soul, (after a pretty severe struggle 
with the powers of darkness :) that moment there was a heavenly 
calm diffused through my mind ; peace was proclaimed in all my 
borders, and a loving, sacred awe seized all my powers, though 
the manifestation was not so remarkable as the preceding one. 
Since then God the Son, also, has deigned to visit his devoted 
creature, and with him comes a heaven of love. He draws near, 
and with an irresistible divine sweetness attracts all the affec- 
tionate powers of my soul ; as sensibly as the loadstone does the 
steel. My intercourse with the second person of the glorious 
Trinity produceth sensations different than when called to stand 
in the immediate presence of God the Father. The former is 
attended with inexpressible delight and divine sweetness ; heaven 
fills every corner of the soul : the latter is preceded by and 
brings with it a deep, solemn sense of majesty ; a holy, reverential 
aw r e rests upon my mind : the creature sinks into nothing before 
its great Creator. Yet this is so tempered with divine love as 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 257 

to exclude every degree of dread. the height and depth of 
redeeming love ; the line of oar reason is by far too short to 
fathom it : but as " the hart panteth for the water brooks, so 
panteth my soul" to prove its utmost extent. Prayer is now my 
chief employ. I would be every moment conversing with my 
God ; but a variety of necessary avocations prevent this : yet I 
must confess, for the glory of my gracious God, that, when 
called to take up the cross of secular affairs, he is unspeakably 
good to me. He not only carries me through it, but comforts 
me in it. 

In the course of his holy providence I am still called to wade 
through deep waters in reference to my great temporal affair. I 
am obliged to dispute, at least to defend, every inch of ground 
against those who are disposed to take every advantage that the 
precipitant departure of my deceased friend can give : but, 
through mercy, it moves me not. I have been obliged to tread 
the tedious round of the English courts of law, which has ab- 
sorbed much time and much money ; and when matters were 
almost brought to a crisis there, and I fondly hoped all cause of 
litigation was at an end, fresh grounds of dispute are breaking 
up in Scotland. But I am nowise discouraged ; the work is the 
Lord's, and I leave it with him. At the same time I feel strength- 
ened, both in body and mind, to take every step necessary on my 
part. Duty is ours ; events are the Lord's. He is with me, 
and I believe my opposers shall not prevail. 

I have removed to another house, in which I have erected an 
altar unto the Lord ; and for the first time had the gospel preached 
in it on Thursday last, to as many as would attend. Do assist 
me by your prayers, that many maybe convinced, converted, and 
sanctified throughout. After what I have written, you will think 
me unreasonable if I say I still plead for farther evidence : but 
it really is so ; I look for that strong witness that will bear me 
out in avowing before all that sin is destroyed in my soul. I 
am shy to disclose this to any at present. Is this the will of 
God 1 Or is it the remains of natural timidity 1 God has cer- 
tainly wrought a change ; but how far it goes is another point. 
I write freely to you in hopes of profiting by the answers. I 
hope to hear that Mrs. Mather is quite well again, and that you 
and she are abundant in successful labours for the Lord. I re- 
main, Rev. sir, 

Your obliged servant and friend in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

April 17, 1787. 
Since I wrote you last, outward and inward trials have in- 
creased. The tide of spiritual temptations has run so high, and 
the infernal powers have so harassed me, I began to fear I 
bliouM be overcome ; yet through mercy I have stood, though 



258 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

only by faith, exclusive of joy. The former seemed sensibly 
strengthened, that I might endure temptation, and by it I was 
enabled to cleave steadfastly to Jesus ; to trust in the Lord Je- 
hovah, in whom I found was everlasting strength. This was 
my only refuge, and I fled to it, and there abode, in spite of all I 
feared or felt that was painful. Had I given way to evil rea- 
soning in the smallest degree, I found I should have plunged 
myself to utter darkness and misery. It is, on these very trying 
occasions, hard work to resist it ; so strong is the propensity of 
the human mind to call to our aid, in religious matters, what we 
find so necessary for direction in worldly affairs : but reason, 
though enlightened, I find, is utterly unable to extricate us out 
of the fascinating power of temptation, and the labyrinths of 
perplexity into which temptation often involves the soul. But 
what it could not do, because of weakness, I found effected by 
the mighty power of simple faith. I looked to Jesus as my only 
hope, and though I did not obtain immediate relief, yet the 
happy consequences soon proved the propriety of the expedient. 
Jesus drew nigh, and brought with him a heaven of peace and 
love. The powers of hell, and their dark suggestions, before 
him fled away : and as one whom his mother comforteth, so he 
comforted my soul ; and has most graciously condescended again 
and again to repeat these heavenly visits : O that they may 
prove of a transforming nature. My soul breathes ardently after 
positive holiness. I find that I cannot rest satisfied with any 
partial attainment in the divine life ; and great is my encourage- 
ment to press on for all that Christ has purchased, that God is 
willing to bestow, or I am able to receive. The goodness of 
the Lord is a strong stimulative, and a deep consciousness of 
my spiritual poverty prompts me forward. I do indeed feel 
poor and needy, though the Lord deals bountifully with me. 
Yesterday (the Lord's day) he made his goodness to pass before 
me in a remarkable manner, while attending public worship. My 
former visitations from on high were either from God the Father 
alone, or from God the Son alone, or from both together ; on 
this happy occasion, it was from God the Father, God the .Son, 
and God the Holy Ghost. I was favoured with a clear view of 
the Trinity, which I never had before ; and enjoyed fellowship 
with a triune God. This filled my soul with a solemn awe and 
heavenly sweetness. I was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and 
felt my mind fixed in deep contemplation upon that glorious, in- 
comprehensible object, the ever blessed Trinity. Hitherto I 
have been led to view the Holy Ghost chiefly as an agent, now I 
behold him distinctly as the third person of the Trinity. I have, 
in my own soul, an experimental proof of the truth of this doc- 
trine, but find human language perfectly insufficient for speaking, 
or writing, intelligibly upon the subject. Eternity alone can 
unfold the sacred mystery ; but, in the meantime, what we 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 259 

may and do comprehend of it is replete with comfort to the 
Christian. 

I stole a little time yesterday from business to write you, but 
could not finish my letter ; and this morning, I find fresh cause to 
repeat the wondrous tale of God's goodness to my soul. My 
Jesus is with me to-day in a peculiar manner ; shining sweetly 
upon my mind as altogether lovely. Surely his love is better 
than wine. I have been delightfully let into him, in secret 
prayer ; and, asking in faith, have received out of his fulness. 

" O love divine, all love excelling !" 
Still I am favoured with a clear and distinct perception of the 
three sacred Persons. Assist me w T ith your prayers, that I may 
improve to the utmost the goodness of my God. 

I have been insensibly led, for months past, to speak and write 
with unusual freedom to you : I trust some good end is to be 
answered by it. Can you inform me where a letter will find Mr. 
Wesley just now ? or do you know if he intends being in Scot- 
land this summer 1 Will you be so good as to send me the rules 
of some of the best-regulated Sunday schools, with the form of 
advertisement previous to their being opened, and also the amount 
of the teachers' salaries. The people of Scotland are not fond 
of them, but I mean to give them a trial. Poor children, in gene- 
ral, have greater opportunities for being taught through the week 
here than in England ; but, as our manufactories increase, these 
will of course lessen. Shall I make an apology for taking up so 
much of your time 1 With good wishes for yourself, Mrs. 
Mather, and your amiable son, I remain, Rev. sir, 

Your faithful, humble servant in Christian bonds, 

D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

May 14, 1787. 
Your last letter, Rev. sir, is replete with profitable matter; and 
of a kind to which I am not accustomed from the generality of my 
Christian correspondents ; yet of that nature which suits me bet- 
ter than any other, and which, properly guarded, might be of great 
utility to the church of Christ. At present, it seems hid from 
the eyes of many worthy teachers in it, and valuable members 
of it. Is not this a sufficient reason why you, who so thoroughly 
understand the matter, should not remain silent — should not hide 
your talent in a napkin — but, with all the ability God has given 
you, endeavour to reintroduce this important doctrine into the 
Christian world 1 It would be doing an essential service to the 
church of Christ. Do consider and weigh the matter well. I 
would gladly hope a greater end than the profit of my soul is to 
be answered by what you have already written me upon the 
subject. That my natural and constitutional shyness is so con- 



260 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

quered in writing to you I must resolve into the will of God for 
wise ends. But I will now change my subject from doctrine to 
experience, and mention the loving kindness of the Lord ; who 
not only disappoints my fears, but exceeds my expectations. 

Since the memorable period already mentioned to you, my 
experience has consisted chiefly of a calm, sweet, uninterrupted 
fellowship with Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Till yesterday 
I felt a sensible increase of nearness to Jesus, which brought 
more love and a still clearer view of him. Help me to praise 
Him who deals so bountifully with me. How rich, how precious 
his kindness to me for months past ! Perhaps, without such a 
degree of it, I should have sunk into the mire of secular affairs ; 
in which I am still in some measure immersed : but I enjoy a 
nearer prospect of emerging than for some time past. I believe 
duty will call me to different parts of England this summer. I 
shall be glad to know where Providence casts your lot. It is a 
great source of satisfaction to me that the reins of providential 
government are continually in the hands of our God : it pre- 
cludes anxiety and murmuring. Under such wise administra- 
tion, there can be no just ground of complaint. In order to re- 
concile this with the liberty of the creature (for man must be a 
free agent, else he cannot be accountable) I have supposed the 
freedom of action was the privilege of ircn, but the consequences 
of these actions the peculiar prerogative of the Most High : and 
having the absolute disposal of these, he is, with great propriety, 
styled the moral Governor of the world. But, to waive this 
digression, I would return to a still more delightful subject — I 
mean divine love. I believe humble love is the highest, choicest 
gift of Heaven. This I prefer to every thing else, and think no 
discovery, no manifestation whatever, can do me any good, but 
as it proves a means of confirming or increasing this holy, hea- 
venly principle. I would be filled with this humble love. I still 
feel something wanting in my experience — I mean a clearer wit- 
ness from the Spirit of the work of sanctification : I should then 
with more freedom speak explicitly of it. Surely He who hath 
done so much for me will not withhold this. O that he may 
enable me to sink into all the depths of humble love, and rise to 
all the heights of Christian confidence. 

I shall be much obliged to you for a particular account of tho 
best, managed Sunday schools : and am, Rev. sir, 

Your faithful, humble servant in the Lord, D. Maxwell. 



TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

June 21, 1787. 
I feel constrained once more to resume my pen, for the pleas- 
ing employment of making mention of the loving kindness of 
Him whose goodness you have so long experienced. Last time 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 261 

I wrote you, I studiously avoided professing any thing concern- 
ing the witness of the Spirit for sanctification, as I did not en- 
joy, at least, according to the judgment I had formed of it. That 
the Lord had condescended to increase my communion with hea- 
ven, I could not deny ; — that he had given me wonderful dis- 
plays of his greatness, and power, and majesty, as God the 
Father, was also certain ; — that he had made Jesus, in all his 
mediatorial glory, in bright effulgence, often pass before me, and 
converse with me, was likewise matter of fact ; — and that he 
had shown me, by faith, the personality of the Holy Ghost, and 
in some measure explained that oneness of substance, equality 
of power and glory, that exists in the sacred Three, I was as 
morally certain as of my own existence : but to believe that sin 
was all done aicay, I had not evidence sufficient to convince me ; 
or, if at bottom there was a secret hope it might be so, yet I had 
no freedom to declare it to others. In this uncertain state I 
continued for some months, pleading earnestly with the Lord 
for that degree of evidence which would effectually banish every 
shadow of doubt. I cannot enumerate the numberless ways and 
means a gracious God took to conquer the remains of unbelief. 
Eternity alone can unfold the mystery of his matchless good- 
ness to me. Suffice it to say that, last week, I felt increasing 
power to yield to the motions of the Spirit, which have since 
ripened into a divine testimony ; and I can no longer doubt that 
the bitter root is destroyed. In some small measure the fruit, 
as well as the Spirit, concurs in witnessing this to my soul. I 
know you will join me in praising Him who has dealt thus 
bountifully with me. I feel deeply conscious of my weakness, 
but no propensity to discouragement. I trust it will prove a happy 
preservative against those evils to which I may be now chiefly 
exposed. Did my time or yours permit, I could say much 
more, but I am obliged to conclude. I would only add, that now 
the Lord has made an entire conquest of a heart that has long 
wished to yield to him, but which has been prevented by listen- 
ing to an enemy. I hope it will for ever remain in the hands of 
the right owner : and not only continue emptied of evil, but be 
also filled with all the communicable fulness of Jehovah. In 
haste, your faithful, humble servant, D. Maxwell. 

P. S. My Sunday school was opened last Lord's day, con- 
taining thirty-one scholars. Pray for its prosperity. I have 
taken measures for opening another about twenty-five miles 
south of Edinburgh, under the inspection of Mr. Boyd, from 
England. 

TO MISS RITCHIE. 

Coates, June 26, 1787. 

Dear Miss Ritchie, — As you have kindly taken an interest 

in my spiritual concerns for some years, I feel a call to inform 



262 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

you of the great goodness of the Lord to my soul for some months 
past. Indeed, it is more than human language can express. Since 
January last, he has been sensibly increasing my little stock ; 
not only making wonderful discoveries to me of the glory of God 
the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, as distinct 
persons, yet the same in substance, equal in power and glory ; but 
also allowing me such nearness to, and deep communion with 
the sacred Three, as was at times almost too much for the clay 
tenement, and seemed in a great measure to break off my connec- 
tion with mortality. O the heavenly, the inexpressibly delight- 
ful interviews with the Lord Jesus with which I have often 
been lately indulged. I cannot convey any adequate idea of 
them ; perhaps your own experience will much better inform 
you. At times the solemn grandeur of heavenly majesty was 
sweetly tempered and softened by redeeming love. At other 
seasons I have been called to stand in the presence of the most 
high God himself: then sacred awe filled my soul, and all around 
seemed filled with the presence of Jehovah ; I felt as if I stood 
on holy ground. At other times, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost 
have so surrounded me as made me to prove, in the full extent 
of the words, the " overwhelming power of saving grace." This 
last manifestation was in April last, when partaking of the Lord's 
supper, and continued for many weeks ; a measure of it I still 
enjoy. Numberless have been the gracious visits I have been 
favoured with since then, but still I was not satisfied : the Spi- 
rit did not witness the destruction of sin, and without it I could 
not rest : yet I felt very thankful for what the Lord has done 
for me. I had often a secret hope that 1 had received the bless- 
ing, but durst not say so to others; and the enemy did all in his 
power to prevent me. At times the whole powers of darkness 
seemed let loose upon me, and then I went through the most 
painful exercises of mind, yet felt as if strengthened to endure a 
greater agony. But He who is rich in mercy did not permit these 
severe conflicts to last long : in due time he rebuked the adver- 
sary, and poured the healing balm of his love into my soul. 
Again I went on my way rejoicing, wrestling in prayer for that 
degree of unequivocal evidence of sanctiflcation which would 
fully satisfy both myself and others. The Lord used various 
means to conquer the last remains of unbelief. For some days 
I felt him powerfully and sweetly at work upon my soul. I ob- 
tained increasing power to yield to the motions of the Spirit, and 
in a very short time they terminated in a clear witness. This, 
through mercy, has abode with me' ever since. I can now no 
longer doubt that the bitter root is destroyed. A small measure 
of the fruit concurs in bearing this testimony. How shall I suf- 
ficiently praise Him who has dealt thus wonderfully with me; 
and so seasonably timed these great and glorious displays of his 
love and power when I was necessarily so thoroughly occupied 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 263 

with secular affairs as might have proved very detrimental to 
my soul. the height and depth of redeeming love ! What 
angel tongue can tell. Did my time permit, I could have said 
much more, but business calls. In haste, with Christian love, 

D. Maxwell. 



TO MISS RITCHIE. 

Coates, July 25, 1787. 
Having hinted in former letters that the Lord did not witness 
by his Spirit to the work of sanctification which he had wrought 
in my soul, his goodness now constrains me to say this is no 
longer the case. He shines now with meridian brightness upon 
his own work. There, in his light, I see light, and feel full 
liberty to testify that the bitter root is destroyed. How shall I 
sufficiently praise Him who has dealt thus graciously with me. 
The wonderful displays of the power, glory, and goodness of 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which I have enjoyed since the 
commencement, of this year, though matter of unspeakable thank- 
fulness, could in nowise satisfy while a doubt remained that the 
Canaanites were not wholly driven out of the land. For this I 
besought the Lord, with a degree of importunity his own Spirit 
bestowed ; therefore he heard the prayer, and, for the sake of 
Jesus, gave me the desire of my heart. I am now brought into 
the wealthy place ; kept in the immediate presence of Jehovah; 
privileged to see the King in his beauty, with the land that is 
afar off; enjoying the continual abode of his Spirit ; surrounded 
with the peaceful presence of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and 
have, in a small measure, the depths of the Godhead made 
known to me. But over all his glory my God has created a 
defence, by giving me deeply to feel that I only stand by faith. 
I rejoice with trembling sweetly tempered with that perfect love 
that casteth out fear. Through the tender mercy of my God, 
thus emptied of evil, I look forward, and enjoy the soul-animat- 
ing prospect of being filled with all the communicable fulness of 
Jehovah. You will, I know, cordially join with me in offering 
up the willing tribute of praise so justly due to our God, who 
has at last made an entire conquest of a heart that has long 
wished to prove his utmost salvation and fulness of love. But 
business calls, and I must answer. The Lord has fully con- 
vinced me that the work is hi.s ; he has reserved it for me, 
brought me to it, and gives mc to believe (however, in one sense, 
unequal to the task) he will carry me through it, unblamable in 
his sight, and irrcprovable before man. It is the doing of the 
Lord, and may well be marvellous in my sight. That you may 
feel a growing power to glorify and enjoy your God ; that I 
may " stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made me 
free," and hourly add to my little stock — be active and zealous, 



264 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

faithful and fruitful : — let us, with a holy importunity, night and 
day, wrestle with the Hearer of prayer, and he will answer us, 
for ourselves, and for the prosperity of his Zion Permit me 
also to recommend to your earnest prayers my youngest hrother, 
who lies dangerously ill, and, I fear, not prepared for the great 
change. Believe me, dear Miss Ritchie, with Christian love, 
Your fellow traveller to the New Jerusalem, 

D. Maxw t ell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

September 7, 1787. 
Rev. Sir, — I intended sooner to thank 3 t ou for your attention 
in sending the rules for the Sunday schools : but have been 
much and necessarily occupied in that business the Lord has 
committed to me. But O, what cause of thankfulness, that, with 
Martha's careful hands, he also gives me Mary's loving heart. 
I still have fresh, yea, daily cause to tell of the loving kindness 
of the Lord. He continues his goodness, he repeats the remark- 
able manifestations of his love, as flowing from the sacred Three ; 
distinctly discovered by faith as separate persons, yet inex- 
plicably united. My soul is abundantly more established in the 
grace given than when I last wrote you. I now enjoy the 
constant, dare I say, the full abode of the Spirit ? Perhaps that 
is going too far : I would rather err on the safe side. Yet I feel 
liberty to say, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost continually encamp 
around me : and 

" Not a cloud does arise to darken the skies, 
Or hide, for a moment, the Lord from my eyes." 

Wherever I move I meet the object of my love. I left Scotland 
on Tuesday last : and have since been in constant motion ; daily 
conversing with different persons, and engaged in various busi- 
ness : yet, through the abundant goodness of my God, my mind 
is not in the least deranged by these diversified scenes. " O 
wondrous power of sovereign grace !" 

I am glad to find by letters from Mr. Wesley and Dr. Coke, 
at Guernsey, that the prospect opens so fair and extensive for 
the spread of the gospel in the West India islands. May the 
time speedily commence when all the kingdoms of this world 
shall become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ. Within 
these few months I have opened three Sunday schools, upon the 
plan you sent me : two in England, and one in Scotland. May 
the Lord succeed every attempt to promote his cause in the 
world. With Christian good wishes to Mrs. Mather and your- 
self, I remain, Rev. sir, 

Your obliged, humble servant, and friend in Jesus, 

D. Maxwell. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 265 

TO THE REV. C. ATMORE, GLASGOW. 

Coates, October 10, 1787. 
I am pleased to see by your letter that your gracious God is 
owning your labours and comforting your own soul. Shall I con- 
gratulate you upon a complete .victory over all your inward 
foes 1 Are the Canaanites wholly driven out of the land ? If 
so, I would say, Hail, happy soul ! whose heart is now a quiet 
dwelling, 



" Where only Christ is heard to speak, 
Where Jesus reigns alone." 



If otherwise, permit me to say, O rest not till thus blessed ! 
Cry earnestly to God, and the Lord, whom ye seek, will sud- 
denly come to his temple, never more to depart. 

I am a witness of his faithfulness and power. I proved a 
mighty exertion of both in my little excursion to the south ; 
when, in the diversified scenes I went through, all the powers 
of action both of body and mind were called forth, and kept on 
the stretch sometimes from morning until night. Yet, through 
the tender mercy of my God, my mind was preserved uniformly 
stayed upon himself; my fellowship, without interruption, was 
with the Father and the Son ; and my evidence for sanctiflcation 
strong as a cable fixed to an immovable rock, and bright as the 
sun shining at noonday ! This was the Lord's doing, and truly 
wonderful in my eyes. "What shall I, what can I render unto 
the Lord for all his goodness ? O may my future life speak his 
praise, and evince my gratitude. 

Since I came home the Lord has been very gracious. While 
I now write I feel a sweet sense of the presence of God. I 
thus write, not to make known my own attainments, but for the 
encouragement of others, and to the glory of the Giver of every 
good and perfect gift. 

"When God is at work, either among a people or in the heart 
of an individual, the adversary of souls is peculiarly at work 
also : a belief of the former should prevent discouragement, and 
a fear of the latter stir up to much prayer ! O the power of 
faithful prayer ! I live by prayer. May you prove its sovereign 
efficacy in every difficult case, and find the apostle's request for 
the Colossians (chap, i, 9, 10) answered in your own soul. I 
am pleased to hear that Mrs. Atmore's sphere of usefulness is 
enlarged, and her soul happy. 

Kudosed is the widow's mite toward liquidating the debt 
incurred by erecting galleries. We go on much as usual in 
Edinburgh. .More life is much wanted. May the Lord pour 
out his Spirit! then the barren wilderness shall become a fruit- 
ful field. 

Repeated interruptions, &c, oblige me to conclude. Praying 
12 



266 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

for peace and prosperity among your people, and the continuance 
of both in your own and Mrs. Atmore's soul, I am, Rev. sir, 

Your faithful, humble servant in Christ, D. Maxwell. 

P. S. I have many demands, yet, if funds are low, add another 
guinea, and I will repay it. 



TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

December], 1787. 

What has become of Mr. Mather, my profitable correspondent 1 
I should suppose my last has never come to hand, as it is now 
about two months since I wrote, and have had no reply. In my 
letter I mentioned a small excursion I had made into England 
upon business ; but I went no farther than Workington, in Cum- 
berland, and of consequence had little profitable intercourse with 
Christians ; yet experienced much, very much, of the delightful 
and gracious presence of my God, even in that barren clime. I 
find his mercy sweetens every toil, makes every region please ; 
and since I came home, the Lord has wonderfully exerted his 
omnipotent power in carrying me over mountains of difficulties 
in my important engagement, and through pretty severe exer- 
cises of mind : in both I proved my God a present help, a strong 
hold in the day of trouble. Often, after these trying seasons, he, 
as it were, rends the heavens and comes down ; appears in ma- 
jesty divine ; puts my foes to flight, and drowns all my fears and 
painful feelings in the ocean of redeeming love. At other times, 
when, perhaps for hours, I have been necessarily engaged in 
secular affairs, a fear has arisen, lest by so doing I should sink 
from that happy state into which I have been brought : then, 
quick as lightning, Jesus appears himself; comes down as rain 
upon the mown grass ; makes my soul as the chariots of Ami- 
nadab ; and strengthens me to leap over a wall, or to overcome 
a troop. Sometimes, when meditating upon what the Lord has 
done for me, or when hearing the word preached, the sacred 
Three draw near as distinct persons, and yet, to my view and 
apprehension, one, in a manner inexplicable. I much wish to 
improve these gracious visitations to the utmost. My soul, night 
and day, feeds upon the word of God in secret, which, with 
prayer, is the means from which I reap most profit. You see 
how freely I still write, having given you an abstract of the 
Lord's dealings with me for months past. 

I believe, if the Lord will, 1 shall be obliged to go to Bristol some 
time in the end of January, or beginning of February, upon 
Lady Glenorchy's chapel business. It is to be opened about that 
time. This is a new concern, and I feel a little awkward in it ; 
but, being called to it, I must endeavour to go through with it as 
the Lord shall assist. There is a depth in providence in this 
dispensation I have not yet been able to fathom. I find the line, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 267 

both of reason and faith, too short to get to the bottom of it ; but 
I leave it to the Lord, and only wish to fulfil his will in it. With 
my best wishes to Mrs. Mather, I remain, Rev. sir, 

Your faithful, humble servant, J). Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXIII.— 1788. 

Particulars respecting Hope Chapel — Lady Maxwell visits Bristol — 
Forms an intimacy with Mrs. E. Johnson — Short account of — Correspond- 
ence continued. 

Land had been purchased, by the joint benevolence of the 
Ladies Glenorchy and Hope, on which to erect a chapel at the 
Hot Wells, near Bristol. These ladies had frequently visited 
this place ; not to unite in the frivolities of fashionable life, but 
solely to seek for benefit from the long famed salubrity of its 
waters. They had witnessed the dissipation and folly which 
reigned triumphant throughout all ranks, with sincere regret ; 
and lamented the want of an awakening and spiritual ministry, 
and the paucity of places for the public worship of God, at a 
situation were hundreds annually resort who particularly need 
the consolations of the gospel. Influenced by these impressions, 
they determined on the erection of a chapel ; but before they 
could accomplish their pious design they were both called to the 
joy of their Lord. By the appointment of Lady Glenorchy it 
became the duty of Lady Maxwell to carry this design into effect. 
After all the arrangements which could be made by means of 
letters, she hastened to the spot, personally to examine into 
every particular connected with the business, and to adopt mea- 
sures best calculated to secure the objects aimed at by her de- 
parted friends. She left Edinburgh on the 11th of October in 
this year, and after inspecting the various chapels under her 
care, which lay on her road, arrived at Bristol on the 27th. She 
entered into the concern under much discouragement, but with 
confidence that as the cause was the Lord's he would favour her 
with all necessary and seasonable assistance. She had to en- 
counter many and great difficulties, but was enabled to surmount 
them : though she h;is not either in her diary or correspondence 
stated particulars. The chapel, however, was ultimately erect- 
ed, and being desirous to perpetuate the memory of her " dear 
daughter," she named it " Hope Chapel." This chapel, as will 
be seen, afterward became to her ladyship a source of painful 
solicitude : but, had we materials, it would be away from the 
object of this work to enter into any lengthened detail of its 
history. In her diary she has recorded several acts of kindness 
shown her by many Christian friends while at Bristol ; repeated 
pleasing interviews with Mr. Wesley ; and the close intimacy 



368 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

which she formed with Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, a maiden lady, 
at whose house she for some time resided. 

. This pious female was descended from an ancient and noble 
family. Her great grandfather was son to Counsellor Johnson, 
who was appointed master of the rolls to King Charles the 
Second. The residence of her father was at Chippenham, Wilt- 
shire. She was the youngest of four children, one son and three 
daughters, and was born in June, 1721. From her infancy she 
feared God, but did not obtain an experimental knowledge of 
salvation, by the remission of sin through faith in the atoning 
blood, until near the close of the year 1744. Soon after this, she 
united herself to Mr. Wesley's society in Bristol, and was one 
of the first fruits of the extraordinary work of God, the light of 
which was then just dawning on the world. For above half a 
century she continued a steady, pious, consistent, and active 
member, adorning in all things the gospel of God her Saviour. 
During the greatest part of this period she resided with her eldest 
sister, Mrs. Mary Johnson, a lady of similar spirit, and they had 
one heart and one way. Like Lady Maxwell, her benevolence 
was bounded only by her abilities. In the earlier part of her 
religious life, she also, with Lady Maxwell, regretted her want 
of means to gratify the generous wishes of her heart ; but, by the 
death of relatives, she received repeated accessions to her pro- 
perty ; all of which she cheerfully devoted to the cause of God, 
and to the wants of the necessitous. In one instance twelve 
hundred pounds came into her possession, purposely to be dis- 
tributed among the poor ; and this labour of love was faithfully 
performed, and with delight and satisfaction, by her own hand. 
She died as she had lived, exulting through the blood of the Cross. 
About three o'clock on the morning of her death she endeavour- 
ed to repeat the apostle's triumphant exclamation, " I have 
fought" — but here her breath failed, and weakness forbade her 
finishing the blessed sentence, the import of which her heart 
experienced. About four, she cried out, " Come — Lord — come 
— come" and a little after, " Lord," with which word she sunk 
into the arms of her Redeemer. " Thus," says her biographer, 
" on the 18th of December, 1798, a few minutes before five in 
the morning, after near fifty-five years' close walk with God, 
Elizabeth Johnson obtained the summit of her wishes ; the 
answer of her prayers ; the end of her faith ; the final salvation 
of her soul ; and, as a ripe shock of corn, was gathered into the 
heavenly garner in the seventy -eighth year of her age. Her 
remains were interred on the 27th, in the family vault at Lay- 
cock, in Wiltshire." Many of the following letters will be 
found addressed to this eminent saint. 

Having completed her work for the present at Bristol, Lady 
Maxwell again bent her course homeward. On her way she 
visited her friend and correspondent, Mr. Mather, at Wakefield, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 269 

and arrived in safety at Edinburgh on the 8th of November. 
Several of the subsequent epistles refer to the above particulars, 
and will sufficiently show what was the state of her ladyship's 
mind and heart in the midst of these multifarious engagements. 
And it will be seen that, while she was faithfully discharging 
the duties which devolved upon her in that part of the Lord's 
vineyard committed to her care, she was cheered and encouraged 
by hearing of the spread of the gospel and the extension of the 
Redeemer's kingdom in different parts of the world. 

TO THE REV. C. ATMORE. 

January 5, 1788. 

For the comfort of your own soul, Rev. sir, and the good of 
others, I wish to give you a more accurate account of the Lord's 
work in different places, as communicated to me by two Chris- 
tian friends in England, than I did yesterday. My information 
from Hull runs thus : — " The work of the Lord is greatly deep- 
ened in many hearts in this place lately. Five of our friends, 
within this last six weeks, are clearly brought into fall liberty. 
They simply and freely testify that ' the blood of Jesus Christ 
cleanseth from all sin.' Several are athirst for purity of heart, 
and I trust a cloud of witnesses will be raised up here, whose lives 
and humble, though open profession, will evince to all who know 
them that they are redeemed from sin." Thus far my friend at 
Hull. Bolton, — " The Lord seems to be going out of his com- 
mon way to alarm and convert the children of men. Here eight 
returned thanks for pardon one Sabbath day : and seventeen 
young women belonging to the Sunday school were justified 
very lately. Many more have recently been brought in ; some 
by being alarmed by visions in the night, and others by seeing 
the distress of some who were crying for pardon." 

Mr, P. Cox, at Brunswick, writes, " Great news from Zion. 
Never was there so great a work in America, no, nor in any 
part of England, according to all the accounts in Mr. Wesley's 
journals, as is now in Brunswick and Sussex circuits. At 
many of our preaching places, we cannot meet the classes, on 
account of the cries of the distressed. Sometimes fifty in a day 
are truly converted to the living God. On the 26th and 27th 
of July our quarterly meeting for Brunswick was held at Maw- 
burgh chapel, and on the 28th and 29th, for Sussex circuit, at 
Jones' chapel. It was thought, at the least computation, that 
during these four days there were between two and three hun- 
dred savingly brought to God. It is impossible for us to ascer- 
tain the numbers exactly ; however, such a sight I never beheld 
before. The penitents lay in rows on the ground, crying for 
mercy at the hand of God ; many of whom were the principal 
gentry of the country, and several of Dr. Cox's chief opposers 
when he bore his testimony against the slave trade." 



270 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Mr. Dickens writes from New- York, " August 27, 1787. I 
have very extraordinary things to communicate. The Lord hath 
made hare his holy arm in Virginia. It looks like the dawn of 
the millennium. I have received the most authentic intelligence 
that since our last conference several hundreds have been con- 
verted in Brunswick and Sussex circuits ; and about Brunswick 
seven thousand souls are under deep conviction. The work is 
also very extraordinary in some parts of North Carolina, espe- 
cially at and near Virginia, where the congregations on the Sab- 
bath day consist of many thousands, and many of the greatest 
persecutors are struck down as dead. Surely this is the arm 
of Omnipotence." 

Some parts of this account were transmitted to us before, but 
they will bear a repetition. O that the recital of them might 
warm, by the blessing of the Most High, the many cold hearts 
to be found in our northern climes. Yet, surely, our God was 
with us of a truth yesterday, and I feel him equally gracious to- 
day. Let us improve the favourable season, and wrestle for 
greater things. In a peculiar manner, I believe he waits to do 
us good at present. May you quickly prove and openly testify 
that " the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." I hope 
Mrs. Atmore also is athirst for this great blessing. I am, Rev. sir, 
Your faithful, humble servant, 

D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

January 18, 1788. 
Through the abounding goodness of my God, I am still con- 
strained to testify of his loving kindness to my soul. The penury 
of mortal language prevents my doing justice to the grand and 
delightful subject : eternity alone can unfold the wondrous tale ! 
O what heights and depths of redeeming love have I experienced 
since the commencement of 1787 ; and yet I seem to have but 
tasted of the cup of bliss. The pleasing, the delightful retro- 
spect affords ample matter for wonder, love, and praise. I have 
sometimes, lately, endeavoured to measure back by contempla- 
tion the various steps whereby the Lord has led me, and caused 
his love to abound toward me, for these last twelve months ; but 
my thoughts have often been recalled, and absorbed in present 
enjoyment. Shall I say with Kempis, " The Lord sees I am yet 
weak in love, therefore he visits me often." If I do, surely I 
must add, if this is a mark of weakness, let me never be without 
it. Solomon's inquiry, " Will God in very deed dwell with man 
on the earth ?" I can from sweet experience quickly answer, — 
he will, — he does ; for I dwell in love, and in God, and God in 
me. What shall I say to these things 1 It is the Lord's doing, 
and is truly marvellous in my eyes. O may my life, together 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 271 

with ray pen and lips, proclaim his goodness, and speak his 
praise. 

His Spirit still witnesses to the work of sane tine ation ; but I 
daily prove that I only stand by faith. If at any time a doubt 
passes through my mind, it is not permitted to rest there. The 
Lord has again recourse, I may say, to signs and wonders, to 
confirm my faith. Then succeeds a sweet sinking into God : 
yea, into the Godhead's " deepest sea ;" and soon my soul breaks 
out in strong desire for all that God can give. 

I see the full assurance of hope* as something superior to 
what I now enjoy : and am led to press after it. You have 
walked over all this ground, I doubt not ; and can therefore point 
out the straight road to a traveller, who wishes to get quickly on, 
and to carry many with her. I do feel liberty, and endeavour, 
when Christian prudence permits, to speak and write upon the 
delightful theme that now engrosses my best thoughts ; although 
a variety of perplexing business sets a seal upon a large portion 
of my time. But divine love will not be kept under ; it will rise 
above every sorrow, every care, every fear, yea, every creature. 
It cannot rest short of God, its centre. O, how excellent a thing 
is love ! May it fill your soul and mine. 

My journey to Bristol is delayed till April, by the dilatory 
proceedings of the architect of the chapel at the Hot Wells : you 
will not regret this. I am in a measure delivered from slavish 
fear, else I should shrink from the trials I may expect there. 
God has made me as certain as of my own existence that he has 
placed me where I now stand ; I therefore depend upon him for 
wisdom, strength, &c, &c. I feel as a little child in the busi- 
ness, perfectly unequal to the task : but I am aware it is the 
divine appointment and blessing alone that can give power and 
success to any instrument. 

I wish to hear that Mrs. Mather is quite well again. She 
must not leave us for a long time yet. O that the Lord would 
raise up many witnesses blessed with her experience. May your 
bow abide in full strength, and the success of your labours in- 
crease with your years. I wish I had rhetoric sufficient to per- 
suade you to take up your pen in the defence and support of a 
doctrine that seems at present too much neglected. Do think 
of it, and oblige, Rev. sir, 

Your faithful, humble servant in Jesus, 

D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. C. ATMORE, GLA.SGOW. 

Coates, March 11, 1788. 
Because He who is rich in mercy still gives the continued 
gTace, I can, Rev. sir, answer your inquiry in the affirmative. 

* See note, p. 282. 



272 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

" My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoiceth in God 
my Saviour." I have been, by the wise appointment of unerring 
Wisdom, afflicted in body, more so than for months, and still I 
am far from being well ; hence I am much confined. In the 
former part of my illness I lay, as it were, becalmed in the 
bosom of love ; but, in the latter part of it, the adversary was 
permitted to try every grain of grace. I was sifted as wheat : 
it was truly an emptying time. Yet I stood, because the ever- 
lasting arms were underneath me ; and soon my God said, " It 
is enough." He rebuked the adversary, and the din of war 
ceased. I had peace in all my borders ; yea, it flowed as a river. 
God the Father and Son came down as at the beginning, encir- 
cled me in the arms of redeeming love, and poured a flood of 
noon-day evidence into my soul for sanctification. Assist me to 
praise Him who deals thus tenderly and bountifully with me. 

Yesterday my cup overflowed. I was called to see an old ac- 
quaintance, Lady J. M'Kensy : she was just upon the wing, 
ready to take her flight into the invisible world. In my way to 
town, O how exquisite was my enjoyment ! — language fails to 
express it. Heaven seemed let down to earth. Jesus was 
intimately nigh, shining in all his mediatorial glory, with beams 
of sacred light. When I came to my friend, I found her in the 
full triumph of faith, exulting in her God. The curtain of mor- 
tality seemed drawn aside, and the glories of the eternal world 
were displayed. The terror of kings, and the king of terrors, 
was disarmed of all his terrors, and changed into a messenger, 
not only of peace, but of joy. It was truly a memorable season ; 
for awhile we forgot almost that we were in the body. O, what 
has Jesus done for the sinful progeny of Adam ! How far do 
the heights and depths of redeeming love exceed the grasp of our 
limited capacities ! May we prove its utmost extent. 

My soul springs forth in eager pursuit of what I have not yet 
attained. I do feel that God is 

" the spring of all my joys, 

The life of my delights ; 
The glory of my brightest days, 
And comfort of my nights." 

Will you permit me to ask, Why are you so long, before you 
enter the promised land 1 You know the way : all things are 
ready. Let not the sweets of earthly comforts retard your pro- 
gress. I should be glad if you could inform me in your next that 
both Mrs. Atmore and yourself are the happy inhabitants of that 
good land. It is, indeed, 

" Favour'd with God's peculiar smile ; 
With every blessing blest." 

I feel for Dumfries : — hinderances strew all the way ; but God 
reigneth. Dalkeith also wears a sombre appearance. I rejoice 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 273 

to think that the Lord can and hath promised to make a way for 
his church even in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. 
But business of various kinds calls, and I must answer. 

With wishes for your spiritual prosperity, and also Mrs. At- 
more's, I am, Rev. sir, 

Your faithful, humble servant, L>. Maxwell. 



TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

April 9, 1788. 
Believing, Rev. sir, that you desire the prosperity of my soul, 
I feel sweetly constrained, for my own profit as well as your 
satisfaction, to inform you that, through the tender mercy of 
Him whose compassion faileth not, my soul is comfortably alive 
to God : still tasting his good word, and feeling the powers of 
the world to come. I am kept sweetly under the influence of 
divine truth, and favoured with many precious visits from on 
high ; when the Deity deigns to converse with his creature, and 
to shine with peculiar brightness upon the work of sanctification 
in my soul. While thus 

" Lost in the high enjoyment of his love, 
What glorious mortal can nvy envy move V T 

But this high and exquisite enjoyment is not my constant allow- 
ance : that is rather a calm, silent, sweet sinking into God. Yet 
I feel but a babe in perfect love. However, there is much rea- 
son for thankfulness ; the work, so far as I have experienced it, 
is clear: and the babe is daily panting for the maturity and 
stability of a father, and is much encouraged to press on, by the 
tender dealings of a God of love, who wonderfully bears with 
many weaknesses. 

The veil that covers unseen things from mortal eyes grows 
more transparent. I get clearer views of the eternal world ; of 
the happiness of its blessed inhabitants. Yet, though thus highly 
favoured, I seem in one sense to sink daily in my own eyes ; 
while in another I rise higher. I daily need to wash in the 
blood of Jesus ; and prove it very strengthening and comfortable 
frequently, by faith, to plunge, as it were, into that sacred foun- 
tain ; and renew the dedication of myself, with all I have and am, 
or ever shall have, to my God. He accepts the sacrifice! How 
great the condescension ! 

I believe nothing short of what the Lord has done for me 
would have proved sufficient for the very difficult task he has 
assigned me. I have such a multiplicity of things and persons 
to deal with, and attend to, and daily new trials arise ; so that 
often all the strength of my body, with the whole powers of my 
mind, is called into exercise, and every grain of my grace is 
tried. I have to fight every inch of ground, not only without, 
12* 



274 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

but sometimes vvithin, when the powers of darkness are permit- 
ted, for wise ends, to molest me. Then I feel driven up to a 
corner ; all human help fails, and I prove, in a peculiar manner, 
that I stand by faith : and even in that way, only by the mighty 
exertions of divine power in my behalf. For the time, faith 
seems stripped of all its fruits, and but for the direct act, where- 
by, in spite of men and devils I keep my hold of Christ, I should 
utterly fail ; but, in general, these very trying seasons of inward 
distress are short ; my God soon rebukes the adversary, and 
brings me again into the wealthy place, and I dwell within the 
veil. How shall I sufficiently praise him for all his goodness ! 
But how little do I know of it, and of that depth of love there 
is in all his dispensations toward me. The very narrow limits 
of my capacity keep me blind to much of it now: but, when in 
eternity, if I should be permitted to look into the records of time, 
I shall know it better. What wisdom, what beauty, what good- 
ness, shall I then discover in all his dealing with me ! I am lost 
in the thought, but must not pursue it, having no more time to 
write, and perhaps you as little to read. 

I hope Mrs. Mather is now well, and that you and she are 
advancing sweetly in the heavenly road, and carrying many with 
you, who shall be for a crown of joy and rejoicing in the day of 
the Lord. I see one of the ancient pillars of the building has 
given way, though it has of late years sustained no great weight. 
I hope the fabric will not feel any remarkable shock by its fall. 
Could you not be persuaded to spend a season in the land of your 
nativity, for the good of its inhabitants 1 Wishing Mrs. Mather 
and you the fullest possession of every new-covenant blessing, 
I remain, Rev. sir, 

Your obliged, humble servant in Christ, D. Maxwell. 



TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

June 27, 1788. 

I should perhaps, for my own sake, Rev. sir, have sooner 
answered your last profitable. letter, but I have now so many 
necessary and valuable claims upon my time, that I cannot do 
the things I would : however, I embrace a few leisure moments 
to ask after you and Mrs. Mather ; and to say, I still prove that 
" God is love." In saying this, I say all. How much does 
this include ! — More than words can express. 

Upon a retrospect of the last twelve months, I find infinite 
cause for praise and thanksgiving. I then received the clear 
witness for satisfaction ; and since then, O what wonders of 
mercy has the Lord shown to me ! Too many to recapitulate, 
however pleasing the recital would be. But, I trust, a lively 
sense of them will never be erased from my grateful heart. 

Since I last wrote you, I have had some remarkable disco- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 275 

veries of the love, power, and goodness of Him who delighteth 
in the prosperity of his children. The invisible world hath been 
brought very nigh, with its blessed inhabitants. There seemed 
but a step between me and eternal glory. My God and Saviour 
felt just at hand. O what hath Jesus purchased for his people ! 
Even in this vale of tears how great their enjoyment ! What 
shall the full fruition of God be, when death is swallowed up of 
life? 

" Say ye who best can tell, ye sons of light, 
Angels, for ye enjoy it," 

and continually behold his face without a veil. This was a 
memorable season. I pray that it may produce gracious and 
permanent effects. 

Since then I have had various trials, and numberless proofs 
of the power and love of God, in supporting me under, and car- 
rying me through them : more especially lately in a very capital 
one; much more than sufficient to have entirely overset me : and 
yet, by the good hand of my God upon me, I have been so car- 
ried above it, as not to feel one murmuring, or even desponding 
thought. Surely " all things are possible to him that believeth.'" 
Assist me to praise Him who deals so bountifully with me. 
And bear with me while I give you another instance of the 
astonishing goodness of the God whom we love. 

On Wednesday last, I felt for some hours keen anguish of 
spirit, from a fear of having grieved the Holy Spirit. As a 
Christian, perhaps, you know the nature of this distress better 
than I can describe it ; if so, you well know that it is severe. 
Thus fearing, and thus feeling, how was my soul filled with 
astonishment and love, when, joining in prayer with a Christian 
friend or two, God the Father came down in solemn majesty, 
banished all my fears, and scattered all my grief. He shone 
clear to the e3 r e of faith, and has abode thus with me, even me, 
ever since. About three minutes after this gracious visitation, 
the Lord Jesus drew nigh, as a distinct person, clearly manifest- 
ing himself as the second person of the holy Trinity. Prayers 
were then turned into praises ! How grateful, how holy, how 
humble, ought I to be ! I deeply feel my shortcomings ; but duty 
calls, and I must leave this delightful theme. 

May you sink deeper than I have ever yet done into the ocean 
of redeeming love. It will yet be six weeks before I can get to 
England. With Christian remembrance to your valuable part- 
ner, I remain, Rev. sir, 

Your obliged, humble servant, D. Maxwell. 



276 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

Bristol, Sept. 8, 1788. 

Rev. Sir, — Not having it in my power to see you in my way 
hither, I have it at heart to meet yon and Mrs. Mather in my 
return to Scotland. I see you are appointed for Wakefield : I 
will therefore endeavour, if the Lord will, to call on you there 
about four weeks hence. I cannot fix on any time absolutely, my 
hands are so full here ; but I give you this hint, that you may, 
if you can, be at or near Wakefield near about that time. 

A gracious God brought me here the 28th of last month. 
Being obliged to stop at Carlisle and Workington, I was about 
seventeen days between Edinburgh and this place, — in the course 
of which I had, through mercy, many rich displays of the wis- 
dom, power, and goodness of a God of love ; much delightful 
fellowship with the sacred Three ; and irresistible evidence of the 
work of sanctification. But I had, also, at times, to grapple with 
the powers of darkness. I do not know that I ever formerly 
found the fiery darts of Satan so keenly pointed. They seemed 
to pierce, even to the dividing asunder the joints and marrow ; 
but, being strengthened to endure temptation, I quickly received 
the crown of present victory, and went on my way rejoicing. 

I believe you can enter fully into the trying peculiarity of my 
situation in this place, without any explanation on my part. In- 
deed, I almost feared to enter into the cloud : but He who knows 
the human heart knew I only wished to do his will, exclusive 
of every other consideration ; and he has therefore mercifully 
disappointed my apprehensions. I have been privileged with 
much intercourse with Mr. Wesley in public and private, and 
with some precious souls in his connection ; and also with the 
most kind reception, and every possible assistance, from those 
with whom I was called to have much intercourse respecting 
the business I came to transact. They expressed a high respect 
for Mr. Wesley, and behaved with Christian cordiality when they 
found him with me ; which is matter of thankfulness. 

I know you will be pleased to hear that the Lord is unspeak- 
ably gracious to my soul. Words can convey but a faint idea 
of what I enjoyed yesterday, both in public and private. God 
the Father came down in all the splendour of Deity, in solemn 
grandeur. The Majesty of heaven condescended to fill the 
place in which I sat (a private room with a choice friend) with 
his presence, and my heart with his love, and has thus abode 
with me ever since. I felt constrained to speak to the lady that 
was with me, and she also seemed full of God. About an hour 
after, when the name of Jesus was mentioned, he also conde- 
scended to visit me in a remarkable manner ; shone gloriously 
forth as the second person of the blessed Trinity. He did indeed 
appear as altogether lovely, and conquered all my shyness and 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 277 

taciturnity. How good is the Lord ! If I add to all this, his 
great kindness in carrying me through many difficult matters — 
much perplexed business, which he only could teach me how 
to manage — how infinitely am I indebted ! Do help me to praise 
him! 

I will not now make any apology for such a large discourse 
on the chapter of self; having formerly explained myself on that 
head, I think you will not mistake me. With kind remem- 
brance to Mrs. Mather, I remain, Rev. sir, 

Your obliged servant in the Lord, D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

October, 1788. 

I remember with satisfaction, Rev. sir, the short interview I 
had with you and Mrs. Mather at Wakefield. It was refreshing 
and animating. There is a peculiarity in my outward situation, 
and also in part of my experience, into which not many seem 
fitted to enter. On this account, I do not receive much benefit 
from the generality even of the Methodists. Indeed I do not 
find liberty to attempt an explanation to many of them. You 
are one of the very few who seem to understand me thoroughly 
as to place, experience, views, &c. Therefore the Lord, through 
this medium, often conveys to me comfort, strength, instruction, 
&c, for which I feel thankful. Could I repay you in kind, I 
would quickly extinguish the debt. 

By the good hand of my God upon me I arrived safely at home, 
though not till the 8th, just in time to partake of the gospel feast : 
which proved indeed a feast of love, a season of refreshing from 
the presence of the Lord. With much sacred delight, and strong 
grateful sensations, I devoted afresh my spared life to His honour 
and glory who first gave it to me, and who has ever since kindly 
preserved it. 

Words fail to inform you how much of his goodness my God 
has made to pass before me, since I left Bristol. I still feel an 
amazing poverty in human language, when I would speak of the 
deep things of God. This, I suppose, will always be the case. 
However, suffice it to say, on the road, the sacred Three com- 
passed me about : I felt surrounded with the divine presence : 
my communion with Father, Son, and Holy Ghost was truly 
delightful. No ecstatic joy, but a divine serenity ; a heaven 
of silent love ; a sinking into God. This last expression I am 
peculiarly partial to, because, to my own apprehension at least, 
it conveys such a literal idea of the enjoyment I experience on 
these peculiarly happy seasons. Thus wonderfully aided, I 
passed equally on, through things painful and pleasant. By divine 
permission, with respect to outward things, the former prevailed 
at different places. I had some remarkably animating and 



278 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

refreshing intercourse with Christians ; more especially at Leeds, 
Rippon, Darlington, and Alnwick. My mouth was wonderfully 
opened to declare what God had done for my soul : and on every 
such occasion I received a testimony from on high, yea, the most 
unequivocal evidence, that the efforts I made were peculiarly 
acceptable to Him for whose sake they were made. 

Since I came home, though a very large proportion of my time 
has been necessarily filled up with business, I have been highly 
favoured with the presence of the ever blessed Trinity ; with 
sweet foretastes of future glory ; and Mount-Pisgah views of the 
heavenly Canaan : so that I hesitate not to say the Lord is deep- 
ening his work in my soul. 

I do feel I stand in God, and cannot be confined to one party. 
My soul feels too much enlarged to admit of any exclusive 
charter. I consider real Christians, of every denomination, as 
a part of the great family of God ; as such, I would do them all 
the good I can, and take all the profit from them they can give 
me. Perhaps this extensive, unfettered view is necessary for 
the situation in which I am placed. But do not mistake me. I 
am at no loss where to rest the preference : there I am perfectly 
decided. My experience, as well as judgment, secures this. It 
is not necessary to say, I hope, I am quite safe in writing thus 
freely to you. 

Were I not almost ashamed of having said so much on the 
chapter of self, I should add, I have, of late, experienced uncom- 
mon emptying seasons. These began some time before I left 
Bristol, and afterward increased. I felt quite broken down be- 
fore the Lord — ashamed and confounded beyond expression, at 
the poor, wretched manner in which I had conducted the work 
at Bristol. I did, indeed, sink into the dust before the face of 
Jehovah, and lay very low at his feet, imploring pardon, (with- 
out one grain of condemnation, in the common acceptation of the 
word,) because I had come so sadly short in what, at his com- 
mand, I had attempted. Soon after, I received an increase. O 
how good is our God ! 

I shall be pleased to hear that Mrs. Mather continues better, 
and that the work of God prospers in your hands and soul. The 
prayers of both will be esteemed a privilege by, Rev. sir, 

Your obliged, humble servant in Christ, D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

November 2, 1788. 
" Gold is tried in fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of 
adversity," for such wise ends, and salutary purposes, as fully 
justify the divine procedure, and richly repay the sufferer. I hope 
Mr. Mather's happy experience bears testimony to this truth. 
I shall be glad to hear that he is restored to former health and 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 279 

usefulness, and that his path of duty is so clearly marked as to 
supersede the necessity of listening to any one for direction. I 
believe the soul that walks closely with God, will in most, if not 
in every case, have the line drawn for him by unerring Wisdom. 
Attending continually to an indwelling God, we hear the small, 
still voice, saying, " This is the way, walk ye in it." 

I now begin to believe that the Lord's very gracious dealings 
with me are intended for higher purposes than merely the com- 
fort of my own soul ; and, therefore, do more frequently and 
explicitly than ever, endeavour to tell those that fear God what 
he has done for me ; if, peradventure, the simple recital may be 
in the smallest degree profitable to them ; though herein Satan 
withstands me greatly. Yet, upon every proper occasion, I en- 
deavour, in weakness, to offer it up as a sacrifice to my God 
(with a single eye to his glory) upon that altar which alone can 
sanctify the gift. I feel more than ever called to wrestle in 
mighty prayer for the prosperity of Zion ; more especially for 
some particular souls : and this morning, I think I obtained faith 
for one, together with the strongest hopes for many, w 7 ho all so 
pressed upon me, so crowded before me, while in secret before 
the Lord, that a necessity was laid upon me, by the Hearer of 
prayer himself, to be importunate for them : but for all, one 
blessing only was in view, — entire sanctification ; or what we 
sometimes call Christian perfection. 

This important doctrine of our holy religion, more especially 
as it relates to experience, now almost wholly occupies my mind ; 
at least, all the time I can spare from business, &c, &c. : and I 
really think the Lord has prepared a people here for entering 
the good land. O that he would bring them in ! Assist them 
by your prayers. The injurious bar of unbelief prevents their 
taking immediate possession, not seeing clearly it is by simple 
faith alone. 

How shall I sufficiently praise the Lord that I am still a 
happy inhabitant of that delightful land ? Still struggling to 
scale the mount of holiest love, I have gained some steps, but 
feel restless to reach the summit. My God is to me as a place 
of broad rivers, wide and deep. I rest in him ; I dwell in him. 
Sinking into him, I lose myself; and prove a life of fellowship 
with Deity so divinely sweet, I would not relinquish it for a 
thousand worlds. It is, indeed, a narrow path ; but love levels 
every mountain — makes all easy. 

" O love divine, how sweet thou art !" 

When I look back, I rejoice to see what I am saved from : 
when I look forward, it is all pure expanse of unbounded love. 
Surely the heaven of heavens is love. 

May you, more than ever, find this divine principle overflow- 
ing your soul ; sweetening every bitter cup ; malting everv bur- 



280 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

then light. But I am called away, and must conclude by saying 
I would hope your remaining years will be peculiarly devoted to 
the interests of Christian perfection ; promoting it by every 
possible means ; and may the Lord succeed your every attempt, 
prays, Rev. sir, 

Your obliged, humble servant in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXIV.— 1789. 

Lady Maxwell's multifarious engagements — Diary continued — Again visits 
Bristol — Meets with many perplexities respecting Hope Chapel. 

Lady Maxwell's engagements during this year were so nu- 
merous and important, that she had but little leisure left for 
friendly correspondence. The care of many of the churches 
now devolved upon her ; and the constant attention which these 
demanded, nearly absorbed the whole of her time. To one of 
her friends she thus apologizes for long silence : — " I have often 
wished, and intended to write you, but have been prevented. 
Though the pen is necessarily and almost constantly in my hand, 
even to the injury of my health, I can seldom enjoy the privi- 
lege of writing to a Christian friend. My peculiar situation 
deprives me of many privileges. How, then, can I sufficiently 
adore the goodness, and admire the power, that, while thus 
situated, keep my soul alive to divine things." But though she 
was thus obliged to remit all avoidable correspondence, she con- 
tinued her diary nearly with as much frequency and fulness as 
ever. To this, therefore, we shall, for this year, again have 
recourse. And surely it must be encouraging to every faithful 
and laborious servant of Jesus to observe, in the experience of 
this eminent saint, such a remarkable accomplishment of that 
precious promise : — " My grace is sufficient for thee, for my 
strength is made perfect in weakness." 

January 25. Still I have cause to sing of mercy. My God 
is still gracious in secret and public, opens my mouth in his cause, 
and makes my pen move swiftly upon the delightful theme. 
He enables me to devise liberal things for my fellow creatures, 
and draws out my soul to the stranger, the ignorant, and the poor ; 
and enables me to go on my way rejoicing. The trials which 
he permits, he supports me under, and delivers me from ; fre- 
quently disappointing my fears. But I feel ashamed I do not 
make greater progress ; that my love is so cold ; that I come so 
continually short. Yet my God bears with me in the most 
tender manner. the height and depth of redeeming love ! 
Still the Bible is a source of uncommon comfort and profit to me, 
and still I have sweet times of refreshing in secret prayer. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 281 

February 7. Innumerable opportunities are now given me 
for promoting the temporal and spiritual good of my fellow 
creatures. I am not permitted to reason, and thereby weaken 
my own hands, by considering how inadequate the instrument to 
the arduous task of producing permanent good. Duty is mine ; 
events are the Lord's. Still I walk in the light of a luminous 
faith for sanctiflcation : though in a much lower degree than 
many highly favoured ones ; but I am sweetly invited daily to 
come up higher. 

— — 23. Had a sweet, though short visit from on high this 
dav , a precious touch of the love of Jesus. Hearing from the 
pulpit yesterday of the too common evil of the Christian falling 
from his first love, I was led to examine my own experience on 
this point ; and, after a review of the* years which have elapsed 
since I first knew the pardoning love of God, I find, if my 
heart does not deceive me, reason to conclude I have not lost 
my first love ; yet have much cause to lament that I have not 
made greater progress in the Christian faith ; and, also, to admire 
the long-suffering patience of a gracious God and his tender 
dealings with me. O for a heart and life to praise him as I 
would and ought. 

April 11. I feel ashamed that, though time passes quickly 
away, I do little to purpose in the course of it. I feel at 
times deeply humbled on this account, even when the Lord is 
gracious. O my God, strengthen my hands herein ; make me 
as active, and as zealous, and as useful, as humanity and my 
particular situation will admit. I would fain crowd as much 
work as possible into my little span of life. Lord, let not the 
ghost of murdered or wasted time haunt me on a deathbed. 

15. Much with others ; might have been more spiritual 

in my conversation. Had many temporal things to mention ; 
but, though the end was good, I erred in the time spent in them. 
In general, I find it best to carry all my matters to a throne of 
grace, and to obtain direction from the Source of wisdom : yet, I 
must confess the Lord often teaches me through the medium of 
the creature. I cannot, therefore, condemn the measure, but 
only wish to have the line drawn for me by Him with whom is 
the residue of the Spirit. I felt humbled for my mistakes, and 
shortcomings ; yet the Lord was good, and showed me the more 
excellent way. O that henceforward I may walk in it, and 
always find rest to my soul. 

May 20. O what cause to praise redeeming mercy. My 
communion with God the Father and Son has been, in a very 
peculiar manner, inexpressibly delightful. I have been strength- 
ened by it, both in body and mind ; and carried through much 
trying and perplexed business with ease. When the enemy 
would have poured in, his temptation found no place in me : in 
the same moment I found myself lifted up, God himself was at 



282 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

my right hand, and poured his love into my soul. How unwor- 
thy of all this love. I would lie low before my God. I feel his 
will very precious, and his word a source of much profit, strength, 
and comfort to my mind. 

June 7. Since last date I have been struggling through various 
trials. The daily exertion of divine power keeps me standing. 
All my victories are obtained through that strength, and leave 
me conscious of my own weakness, and under great obligations 
to redeeming love : with much desire to ascribe all the glory 
where alone it is due. This morning, in my way to the house 
of God, I had some delightful views of, and sweet meditations 
upon, the great privilege of having God as my Father ; and 
went with an intention of renewing my engagements to be the 
Lord's at his own table. When there was unexpectedly taken 
ill, and much tempted. I asked for leave to stay till I had 
communed, which was granted. At the table the Lord was 
unspeakably gracious : 1 saw his fulness ; I felt it ; I sunk sweet- 
ly into him. Father and Son felt very sensibly nigh : it was a 
precious season. 

28. Toiled all day, but caught little till the evening. I 

then got a view of the fulness of God, and felt sinking into it. I 
long for deeper impressions of divine things. I would be more 
solemn, — every moment pierced with a sense of the divine pre- 
sence. I would be filled with the full assurance of hope unto 
the end* I do most things too quickly : speaking, thinking, 
praying, reading. The Lord, in tender compassion, shows me 
the most excellent way in all things, but I learn slowly, and have 
reason to admire his patience. O for a heart to praise him 
more ! 

July 3. This day, also, has proved a good time, though con- 
fined to bed. In the evening my cup overflowed, and I was con- 
strained to tell those who desire to love the Lord, what he had 
done, and was doing for my soul. How unwearied his kindness. 
How numberless my obligations ! I am confounded when I think 
of my unworthiness, of my shortcomings, and how little love I 
have to this gracious God after all he has done. But the more 
I meditate upon these humiliating circumstances the more he 
increases his kindness to me. Eternity alone can unfold the 
wondrous tale. It is more than mortal language can express, or 
human thought conceive. But O, eternity will in some mea- 
sure capacitate for glorifying and enjoying this source of bliss ! 

10. Much business of various kinds has fallen to be 

* 'f I believe," says Mr. Wesley, " a few, but very few Christians have 
an assurance from God of everlasting salvation ; and that is the thing which 
the apostle terms the plerophory, or full assurance of hope. 

" I believe more have such an assurance of being now in the favour of 
God as excludes all doubt and fear. And this, if I do not mistake, the 
apostle means by the plerophory, or full assurance of faith," 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 283 

done these days past. I am a wonder to myself. Unable to do 
any thing- of myself to purpose, yet called to do much. I trust 
all is of God, who guides my pen, my tongue, my heart. As one 
proof of this, he keeps my mind above all, and with himself; en- 
tirely dependent upon himself. O, what oil to the wheels of the 
soul do I find divine love ! Without this, I should indeed drive 
heavily on, if I did not stop altogether. I have had many op- 
portunities for promoting the spiritual interests of others lately ; 
and my soul has panted with generous desires to embrace them 
all, and many more. Real religion enlarges the heart in good 
will to all ; here is no monopoly, no exclusive charter, wished 
for in this business. Have felt to-day rather suspicious that I 
am not, at present, in my place, respecting the management 
of part of the affairs committed to me, which lies at a great 
distance. Surely the Lord will direct a soul he has made so 
desirous to do his will in all things. 

24. My God rejoiceth over me to do me good from day 

to day. In secret prayer, this morning, Jesus drew delightfully 
nigh. He is my soul's bright morning star ; he carries me 
through every difficulty. Looking to him, mountains melt down 
to mole hills, and rough places are made smooth. 

" O Lamb of God, was ever pain, 
Was ever love like thine." 

The cloud now seems decidedly to point to the south ; and my 
mind seems more reconciled to the various trials of a long jour- 
ney. The will of my God is precious, whatever aspect it wears. 
I am his, and would go, or stay, or suffer what he appoints. 

Being fully satisfied that the finger of Providence again pointed 
to Bristol, Lady Maxwell left Edinburgh on the 17th of August. 
She travelled by short stages ; and at every place where she 
rested endeavoured, as usual, to promote the cause of religion. 
She arrived at Noble-house the first night, " worn out by ex- 
cessive fatigue before leaving home : but here a sphere of use- 
fulness soon presented itself," and this animated and quickened 
her " languid powers." The next day she reached Moffat. 
" Many opportunities offered on the road, and were thankfully 
embraced ;" but in this town the " prospect of good was dark 
and discouraging." Passing through Penrith and Shap, she 
reached Burton on Saturday night, the 21st. The next day she 
wrote : — " Was confined to bed all the morning, but had a pre- 
cious time. My mouth was opened to speak of and for the 
Lord ; and I was favoured with many opportunities to act for 
him." She has not recorded the course of her journeying the 
following week ; but, on Friday the 28th, we find her at Wolver- 
hampton, where she made the following entry in her diary : — 
" Since my last date at Burton, I have gone over much ground, 



284 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

and at every place endeavoured to bear my testimony, in a small 
degree, for Jesus. Except at particular times, my joy has not 
been so great. I have been kept in peace — my evidences won- 
derfully clear for sanctification — so as to surprise myself, and to 
stimulate me to do all I could for that God who does so much for 
me. When thus employed I am in my element, though Satan 
strongly opposes. This day, a piercing consciousness of my short- 
comings and great unworthiness has humbled and broken me 
down before God. I perceive such a want of wisdom, judg- 
ment, and indeed every thing which might lead to self- applause — 
or to a trusting in anything short of God himself, for direction in 
every thought, word, and action — as to make me stand astonished 
that he should bear with me. O what a bottomless abyss is re- 
deeming love. For hours, while under this humbling exercise 
of mind, God the Father and Son drew sweetly nigh, and melted 
down my heart into a very tender frame, and drew out my soul 
in strong desires for more love, more heavenly wisdom, and great 
increase of divine life." 

On the second of September hei ladyship arrived at Bristol, 
under a lively sense of the divine goodness. The next day she 
wrote : " Through much mercy, came here last night, brought 
through many fears, dangers, and trials. Words fail to say how 
gracious the Lord has been to me. How he strengthens my 
trust in him, my expectations from him, and my confidence in 
what he has wrought in me, with respect to sanctification ! He 
comforts me much in reference to his work in this place ; so that 
I do expect he will appear in my behalf, and carry me through 
every difficulty." 

Lady Maxwell continued in Bristol until the 20th of October. 
She had much perplexing and harassing business, which kept her 
constantly employed ; but was also favoured with much divine 
support. Many things tending to obstruct the work in which 
she was engaged were happily removed, and an increase of pe- 
cuniary aid was afforded. The following extract, written on her 
arrival at home, affords farther light on the objects of this jour- 
ney : " Left Bristol Hot-Wells on the 20th of October. I have 
much cause to bless the Lord for his goodness to me while there, 
and for his remarkable interpositions in behalf of his work at the 
Wells : particularly in inclining the heart of the heir-at-law to 
do all I asked, and in the way I proposed. Without this I could 
not have gone on. The Lord was with me of a truth ; melted 
down mountains of difficulty, and brought wonderful things to pass. 
This was agreeable to the hopes he had given me before I left 
home. He is a faithful God : with truth I may set my seal to 
this. After travelling upward of four hundred miles with my own 
horses, through much bad road, and sometimes under heavy rains 
and high winds, he brought me in health and peace to my own 
habitation on the 7th of November. On the road home he gave 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 285 

me many opportunities for promoting the spiritual and temporal 
interests of my fellow creatures, and many comfortable and pro- 
fitable interviews with Christians. May an effectual blessing 
attend both." 

The following extracts will conduct to the close of this year : 
" Dec. 17. My comfort was sensibly increased this morning, 
and the testimony of the Holy Spirit clear ; more especially after 
midday, my fellowship with the sacred Three was most delight- 
ful. I was favoured with another clear view of the holy Trinity ; 
and from the abundance of my heart, my mouth spoke to those 
about me of the witness of divine love, and the support it afforded 
in the day of trouble. But, O Lord, do thou enlarge my spiritual 
borders, and enable me to glorify thee. Fill me with holy, hum- 
ble love. Let love command my heart, and fully govern my life ; 
let love be the spring and rule of action in my soul ; then shall I, 
more than ever, put on bowels of compassion and tenderness 
to all. 

" 25. Devoted myself, as usual upon this day, to Him 

whose I am, and whom I wish to serve. I went with sweet de- 
sire and expectation to his house to thank him for his unspeak- 
able gift ; but my vast desires were not fully satisfied. Returned 
again in the evening, but still I looked for more than I received. 
Yet I am sensible, from unequivocal evidence, that the work of 
grace is advancing in my soul. O my God, let every nerve be 
on the stretch for thee. May Jesus be all the world to me, and 
all my soul be love. How great the mystery of godliness ; 
' Christ manifest in the flesh !' The everlasting Father, the 
Prince of peace, becoming a child clothed with humanity ! The 
short line of human reason cannot sound this bottomless abyss of 
mercy ; it is too deep for us. Nor does God mean that we 
should lose our plummet in the depths of Deity ; but that we 
should believe, love, and obey, through his almighty power." 



CHAPTER XXV.— 1790. 

Correspondence resumed with Mr. Mather, Mrs. Johnson, and Miss 
Ritchie — Lady Maxwell visits Carlisle, Wigton, and Workington. 

We shall now again recur to Lady Maxwell's correspondence. 
Though her diary enters into greater detail relative to her reli- 
gious experience, and is much more circumstantial, yet the fol- 
lowing letters substantially embrace what she has there recorded ; 
while, at the same time, they glance at other interesting parti- 
culars which are not elsewhere noticed. There is, besides, a 
fascinating charm in an epistolary communication of sentiment 
and feeling, which it is believed will be more interesting to the 
generality of readers. 



286 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

January 16, 1790. 

Mr. Mather's letter presents an agreeable picture of a mind 
tenderly sensible to a recent loss ; yet, through grace, rising 
superior to these natural feelings, and thereby preserved from 
excessive sorrow : this alone can lead us to that happy medium 
which God allows ; we are unable of ourselves to draw the line. 
Nature is prone to excess ; and the boundaries between right 
and wrong, like those of light "and shade, are separated by very 
narrow and almost imperceptible limits. There is certainly 
nothing which proves such an effectual preservative against 
whatever would either more immediately or remotely tend to 
hurt the soul, as having God the object of our supreme affection, 
reigning without a rival in the heart. The magnetic virtue of 
this powerful attractive draws all the affectionate powers of the 
soul to one point ; and permanently fixes them upon their divine 
centre — similar to the effects of a convex lens, which, when 
drawn to its proper focus, collects the scattered rays of the sun, 
which while diffused produce little heat, but when thus concen- 
trated kindle a fire that consumes whatever comes in its way. 
Who would not wish to feel the purifying force of this sacred 
flame, burning up all their dross. 

Though not yet an entire convert to the doctrine of your last 
upon the chapter of self, I so far allow of what you have said, 
that I may with impunity let you know a few particulars. I have 
had lately an uncommonly severe conflict with the combined 
powers of darkness ; who, for wise ends, have been permitted to 
try me to the uttermost. I found all the grace which I had 
hitherto received would be by far too little to bring me off vic- 
torious, without a remarkable interposition of Him who is 
stronger than man, devils, and sin. While wrestling, not against 
flesh and blood, but against principalities, and powers, and spi- 
ritual wickednesses in high places, I endeavoured to assert my 
privileges; and, by simple faith, to hold fast what had been freely 
bestowed, sensibly received, and long and comfortably enjoyed. 
A temporary cessation of arms seemed to take place ; but the 
instant this exercise was intermitted, my foes renewed their at- 
tack with redoubled fury, and roared upon me as so many bulls 
of Bashan. This, more than ever, convinced me of the sterling 
value of faith ; as being the only successful weapon with which 
to fight the battles of the Lord. But, lest I be too tedious by 
attempting to detail the variods circumstances of this serious 
engagement, suffice it to say, after many hours of distress, in the 
course of which I was not suffered to yield a hair's breadth to 
my enemies, I obtained a final victory. A heavenly calm suc- 
ceeded, and I had peace in all my borders. For this I was very 
thankful, and at the time did not look for more ; but He who is 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 287 

rich in mercy had prepared greater things : Jehovah himself came 
down in solemn majesty. My inmost soul felt pierced with a 
deep sense of his presence ; while he permitted me to enjoy deep 
communion with himself. Here was indeed a " heaven of love, 
and all that sacred awe that dares not move." A few minutes' 
enjoyment of such an agreeable interview would have been a 
great blessing ; but what praise is due to Him who has continued 
it till now, which is five days. Still the Most High thus abides 
with me. Be astonished, O heavens ! The day after this extra- 
ordinary visit being the Lord's day, I had an opportunity of par- 
taking of the solemn ordinance of the supper. Here my allowance 
was much larger. While at the sacred table I felt not only joined 
in spirit to the general assembly of the first-born, but, by faith, 
as one of them. Heaven appeared open, to give a view of the 
blessed inhabitants : and for some minutes the music of the glo- 
rious place seemed to sound in my ears: immediately after, 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost sensibly encamped about me. I 
felt surrounded with Deity in all its plenitude of love and power 
— lost in wonder, love, and praise — swallowed up in the inex- 
pressible enjoyment of the beatific vision. How good is God ! 
Assist me to praise him, and to gain every possible advantage 
by this recent instance of his love — the account of which, for 
want of time, and from many interruptions, is very defective ; 
but the mantle of love must cover every inaccuracy. 

May you feel y T our every want fully supplied by God. Enjoy- 
ing him, what finite good can make an addition. As a pro- 
fessional gentleman, I hear your son meets with approbation and 
success : — may he shine in a nobler science — be constrained to 
receive the truth, not merely as a system of doctrines, but as a 
vital, energetic principle, that shall change his heart, renew his 
mind, and produce a beautiful uniformity of conduct and respect- 
ability of character. So that at last he may receive the divine 
plaudit, " Well done." D. Maxwell. 

TO MRS. JOHNSON. 

May 26, 1790. 

I take the opportunity of a frank to inquire after the welfare 
of my sister in Jesus, and how the work of my Lord prospers in 
her hands 1 Also to inform her that he is getting himself glory 
here in the hearts of both saints and sinners ; and this even 
through the feeble instrumentality of the unworthy individual 
that now communicates the pleasing intelligence. 

For some time 1 have met a few young women on the Lord's 
day, who appeared athirst for full salvation. From time to time 
I simply told them what the Lord had done for my own soul ; and 
what he was willing to do for them. I found them daily laid 
upon my mind in prayer ; and the last time I met them, while 



288 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

pleading that the Lord would raise them up as witnesses of his 
power to save to the uttermost, one was set at full liberty : and 
I expect, at next opportunity, to find that others have been ena- 
bled to follow her example. Help me to praise a gracious God 
for his goodness. My heart is filled with gratitude. 

He has also given me to see the fruit of my affectionate advice, 
with respect to two of our preachers, who are both athirst for 
perfect love. Help them by your prayers. He is wonderfully and 
delightfully present in the little class which the preachers meet 
in my house, and opens my mouth to speak explicitly before 
them of the work he has wrought in my own soul. This they 
receive with gladness, and the Lord bears testimony to the truth 
in their hearts, and gives me a present reward as a proof of his 
approbation. O let us bless Him who is working so wonderfully. 

I have a pleasing hope of this being the beginning of great 
things. The work goes on sweetly and sensibly in my soul. I 
have felt such a delightful sinking into Jehovah, for many weeks, 
as language fails to express : a losing myself in the depths of 
Deity. As trials of various kinds increase, so does the goodness 
of my God : I feel his loving eye continually upon me. He has 
kindled such a flame of divine love in my soul as I hope will 
never be extinguished, but burn brighter and brighter, till it 
mingle with the blaze of eternal day. I think the hour appointed 
for our meeting at a throne of grace has been blessed to both. 
May God increase us, and fill with all his communicable 
fulness. 

I believe Mr. J. will leave the Wells about the end of May, 
having had a call to succeed Mr T. at B. : Mrs. P. also thinks 
of moving. Miss P. has taken offence. Mr. B., the ostensible 
manager, takes no active part, from weak spirits and nerves. 
All these things seem against me, but the work is the Lord's. 
Do help me by your prayers to see wherefore he contends, and 
that he would show me his will, and enable me to follow it. 

Unless the light shines so clear as to make another journey 
decidedly plain, I cannot think of going there this summer. 

Hoping to hear good accounts from you soon, and wishing you 
a swift progress in the heavenly road, I am dear Mrs. Johnson's 
fellow pilgrim and well wisher in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

May 26, 1790. 
Rev. Sir, — I have perused your valuable manuscript with 
much satisfaction and profit. While I read it the Lord shone 
upon my heart, and upon your words, and witnessed to the truth 
of all you have advanced, in support of Christian perfection. I 
bless my God for inclining and enabling you so thoroughly to 
investigate this important doctrine, which has been so long 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 289 

neglected. You have dug deep, cleared away much rubbish, and 
raised a beautiful superstructure upon a solid basis ; and, by so 
doing, rendered an essential service to the church of Christ. 
The crude, undigested ideas that many well meaning people 
form of this important branch of the believer's privilege not only 
necessarily lead to mistakes in practice, but make it an object of 
contempt and derision. This will not, I trust, be the case in 
future, as you have happily rescued it from the malice of enemies 
and the mistakes of friends ; and set it forth in its own native 
beauty. And thus viewed, what a lovely truth it is ! How 
worthy of its divine original ! How ornamental to humanity ! 
May the almighty fiat go forth respecting it ; then many shall 
not only see and admire, but also happily enjoy the blessing of 
perfect love. Your sharp eye, however, will perceive that a 
few corrections will be necessary, before the manuscript is sent 
to the press. You will forgive this freedom ; strictures do not 
become a female pen. 

I thank Mr. Mather for his addition to the letter I received 
from Dundee, which was viewed through the medium he wished ; 

Mr. may grieve, but cannot offend. I believe the Lord 

will lead me into all his will concerning me. Here I rest ; I 
cannot walk by the light of another. But I forbear : Mr. Mather 
understands me thoroughly as to the point in hand. 

I would now touch upon a more pleasing theme ; the goodness 
of God to my own soul. But here I must still complain of the 
poverty of mortal language, which can convey but an imperfect 
idea of the deep things of God. I have much reason to be thank- 
ful that my fellowship is still with the Father and Son. I do 
experience the accomplishment of that precious promise, " Bless- 
ed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Though I 
can lay claim to a very small degree of purity, yet, in virtue of 
it, I clearly perceive the triune God : a sense of Deity rests 
upon my soul : I enjoy such sweet sinking into Jehovah as I can 
by no means express ; indeed it beggars all description, and has 
almost every moment since I last wrote you at Wakefield. I 
then mentioned a most remarkable manifestation I had been 
favoured with, more particularly from God the Father, attended 
with that inexpressible nearness, or, speaking more properly, a 
losing of myself in the depths of Deity : and still it continues. 
Amazing goodness ! This sweet sinking into God so humbles 
the soul, and, at the same time, so exalts and aggrandizes it, as is 
pleasing and profitable to experience. I am kept alive to my 
weakness and ignorance, but not discouraged ; because, on every 
application to my God, 1 am raised above them, when any exer- 
tion is necessary on my part. On this account I refuse no work 
assigned me, however unequal to the task. And if at any time 
I make my way through what is difficult and perplexing, I clearly 
see to whom the glory is due, and feel much disposed to give it. 
13 



290 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

But I must have done ; time would fail to enumerate all the 
instances of the tender, gracious dealings of my God. To you 
I write more fully on this subject than almost to any other, be- 
cause 1 think you clearly understand me. It is a simple narra- 
tion of facts ; much might be added, but I forbear. My hands 
have been sensibly strengthened by your manuscript. Your 
views and mine correspond entirely with respect to perfect Jove. 
Wishing you a still fuller enjoyment of every gospel promise, I 
remain, Rev. sir, 

Your humble servant and well wisher in Jesus, 

D. Maxwell. 

TO MISS RITCHIE. 

July 30, 1790. 
It was kind in dear Miss Ritchie to write me, more especially 
as, I believe, I owed her a letter. Indeed I have very little time 
left me for the pleasing and profitable employment of correspond- 
ing with Christians. But as this is by the appointment of 
Him who overruleth all things for his own glory, and eventually 
for his people's good, I wish to offer it up as a sacrifice to him, 
whose I am, and whom in all things I wish to serve. 

Language is too faint to express what he has done for my soul 
since I wrote last to Miss Ritchie. I feel lost in wonder, love, 
and praise ! More especially since January last, my soul has 
centred in God in a very peculiar manner. I have sunk into 
Jehovah as a drop into the ocean ; and by the constant exertion 
of omnipotent power here I abide; though daily occupied by a 
multiplicity of business and public engagements. I prove con- 
tinually that the magnetic virtue of divine love is superior to 
every other attraction, and sufficient to bear up both mind and 
body under the weight of constant and diversified employment. 
How good, how gracious, how powerful, is our God. 

Yet, though he has of late enlarged my capacity of receiving, 
and sensibly increased my little stock, I am deeply conscious 
that what I now possess is but as a drop in the bucket com- 
pared to that immensity from whence it flows ; or even to what 
he is willing to bestow. I am sweetly invited to come up higher, 
and partake more largely : and it is a comfortable thought, if we 
continue simply " to follow on to know the Lord," his going 
forth shall be still before us as light, and his brightness as a 
lamp that burneth. On some occasions I am favoured with as- 
tonishing views of the fulness of God, and of his willingness to 
impart of it : this so fires my soul, so expands my heart, that I 
grasp infinity itself. But here I am greatly withstood by the 
combined powers of darkness, who unite to drive me back, and 
attempt to fill rny mind with horror ; while the nearness of Deity 
— the majestic grandeur of Jehovah — the heaven of sacred awe, 
that fills the place, almost overpowers the human frame. But 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 291 

He who knows whereof we are made, and how little we can bear 
of these glorious displays of divine power and love while in the 
body, or of the strong assaults of the Satanic legion, quickly 
interposes — arrests the powers of darkness — veils, in a measure, 
the heavenly glory, and pours the soul-composing medicine of 
redeeming love into the heart. I look forward to that day when 
all my ransomed powers shall be so formed as easily to bear the 
dazzling brightness of unveiled Deity. Hail, auspicious morn ! 
• Indeed it is very desirable to make the most of our present fleet- 
ing moments. 

I seem to derive the greatest advantage from a lively faith in 
constant exercise. This secures what I already possess, and 
increases the little stock. In secret prayer and meditation I ob- 
tain enlarged views of the full salvation of God ; and what is 
thus discovered faith goes out after, and according to its strength 
are its returns. I prize much the divine teachings : with eager 
attention I listen to the heavenly lessons, and pant to reduce 
them to practice. I daily feel the need of the precious blood of 
sprinkling, dwell continually under its influence, and most sensi- 
bly prove its sovereign efficacy. It is by momentary faith in 
this alone that I am saved from sin. Dear Miss Ritchie must 
be satisfied with a small abstract, as I have not time to enlarge. 
When she can conveniently write I shall always be pleased to 
hear from her ; and when I can spare a few minutes, will, for 
my own advantage, make a return. 

There is no remarkable revival among us here : particular 
souls are blessed. I frequently meet a few young women who 
are alive. I hope some have entered the promised land, and 
others are straggling in. A full salvation has this last year 
been more insisted on in public, which has answered valuable 
purposes. Assist us with your prayers that "a little one may 
become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation." 

D. Maxwell.* 

* In the month of August Lady Maxwell again visited a few of the cha- 
pels under her care in England. On her return she wrote as follows in her 
diary : — 

" September 2. I set out for Carlisle, Wigton, and Workington, on Lady 
Glenochy's business, on the 18th of August ; and returned here (Coates) 
yesterday. In the course of these fourteen days the Lord has been emi- 
nently with me. lie preserved man and beast, and gave me my heart's 
desire respecting the business I went about. He also gave me numberless 
opportunities of attempting the temporal and spiritual good of others, with 
power to use them ; and much, very much, fellowship with the Father and 
the Son. In general I enjoyed the witness of sanctification, and often a 
plenitude of the divine presence. Truly my God was good to me. He 
Strengthened for unusual exertions in his cause ; and when tempted and 
tried be succoured and comforted me: more especially at one time, when 
Deity so condescended to visit me as turned my heaviness to joy unspeak- 
able, and put a song of praise in my mouth. I am unable to tell of all the 
kindness and tenderness my God hath showed me since I left home. O 
that I may he faithful and humble !" 



292 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

September II, 1790. 

Rev. Sir, — Your letter, returned from Edinburgh, found me at 
Carlisle ; where I had gone upon business. I am sorry to see 
by it that you are still very poorly. Our God knows " what best 
for each will prove :" and we are warranted to believe that all 
his dispensations toward his people, whether joyous or grievous, 
are conducted upon this principle. I hope he will soon restore 
you to health, and continue your extensive sphere of usefulness to 
a late period. It is very desirable to fill up life with action, but it 
is possible to overdo ; though I believe the case seldom occurs. 
Indeed I should not be surprised if it often did. When God is 
the object of supreme affection, who can love too much, or do too 
much ? Divine love cannot be bounded by the frigid laws of cool 
reasoning, however just. 

I hope the state of your health will admit of the free use of 
your pen, in the weeks of your retirement and relaxation, 
whereby you may essentially serve the best interests of your 
fellow creatures ; and this will the more easily reconcile your 
active spirit to a narrow circle. 

I must now give you a few words upon the chapter of self, as 
I know you will expect it, and also thoroughly understand me in 
so doing. I would preface it by saying, as Mr. Cole carried my 
last, he must have forgot ten to deliver it : but I would add, it was 
perhaps as well he did : as I suppose every minute of your time 
during conference was fully occupied. My God still conde- 
scends to show the sweetest complacency. Herein I discern 
the fulness of that satisfaction which the blood of Christ hath 
made for me. It is full reconciliation. O what praise is due 
to him ! In the course of my last excursion my God made much 
of his goodness to pass before me ; gave me my heart's desire 
respecting the business that carried me from home ; and much, 
very much, delightful fellowship with heaven, — often a plenitude 
of the divine presence, and one very remarkable manifestation 
of the holy Trinity. A few days after, when tempted and tried, 
Jehovah came down in solemn grandeur ; so surrounded me, 
so penetrated my inmost soul, with a sense of the presence of 
Deity, and so filled me with a heaven of silent love, as baffles 
all expression. This glorious interview, you may believe, soon 
scattered all my foes, and left me lost in wonder, love, and 
praise ! and, perhaps, a little strengthened for a few exertions in 
the best of causes. I find it a matter of thankfulness that this 
continued intercourse with divinity does not make humanity a« 
cross to me ; and that, though my God keeps me united to him- 
self, yet he lets me down, and enables me willingly to perform 
the necessary duties of life, and often affords as much enjoyment 
when so employed as when in secret with himself. Hitherto 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 293 

(to his praise I would speak it) he has given me to see what 
things are necessary, what things are lawful, what things are 
expedient, and what are not. And I would venture to say he 
has given me a small measure of light into what is, and is not, 
consistent with that state of gospel liberty of which he has con- 
descended to let me taste. It is but a taste ; and what I chiefly 
want is a deeper entrance into the holiest. My way is plain — the 
door is open — a glorious field is before me. My God invites me 
forward ; but I do not seem yet to have faith sufficient to receive 
all that is offered. Let me have your thoughts upon this, and 
your prayers ; that every fresh manifestation of the love, power, 
and goodness of God, may fully answer the gracious end of 
sovereign love. The peculiar privilege of God's children has 
been more insisted on in public this last year than formerly here ; 
of consequence they increase who seek it, both in numbers and 
grace. May our God raise many witnesses of it. That Mr. 
Mather may enjoy it, in all its heights and depths, in his own 
soul, and teach it successfully to others, is the prayer of his 
well wisher in the Lord Jesus, D. Maxwell. 



TO MRS. JOHNSON. 

October 13, 1790. 
As you expressed a desire in your last to hear from me, I 
wish to gratify it, without expecting an answer, except the Lord 
gives you power and liberty to favour me with one. You pain 
me by the reason assigned for your long silence : " A sacred 
restraint laid upon you, not understanding for what those blessed 
manifestations were to prepare me : afraid to touch the tender 
soul, knowing my feelings must be exquisite." It led me to cry 
to the Lord that he would show me clearly and fully what he 
designed by his very gracious dealings with me, and also enable 
me to fall in with them. I dread the thought either of mistaking 
or thwarting his sacred intentions. Will you assist me here, 
and, when you can easily, let me know your thoughts upon the 
important business. As yet I see no very great ends answered. 
I am enabled to bear a more public and decided testimony for 
Christian perfection by my lips and pen. O that I may do it by 
my life ! I seem, as it were, set for the defence and promoting 
of this important branch of doctrine and experience, and find that 
the Lord owns me in it, at least so far as it respects my own soul. 
But I would fain look for far greater things as to others. The 
prospect was brighter some months ago for the latter ; the 
former, through the tender mercy of my God, increases. I am 
blessed frequently with fresh discoveries of the love and power 
of a triune Deity — with powerful renewals of former manifesta- 
tions : and, as I freely receive, I endeayour freely to give ; if,, 
peradventure, a simple recital might be made useful to others, 



294 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

more especially as it respects the work of sanctification, a doc- 
trine very little known here. A few in the society do enjoy it ; 
several are pressing after it, and the preachers profess them- 
selves of the number ; and do insist upon, and endeavour to ex- 
plain the doctrine in public and private. But, as you justly ob- 
serve, " The Lord himself must come down among us before 
great things are accomplished." " that a little one may be- 
come a thousand, and a small one a strong nation." From day 
to day I am made to taste of that perfect love that casts out fear ; 
and often experience a plenitude of the divine presence. But I 
most sensibly find it is only by momentary faith in the blood of 
Jesus that I am kept from sin : and that my soul is less or more 
vigorous as I live by faith. For ten months past my fellowship 
has been in a peculiar manner with the Father : for some days 
past I have been favoured with the most delightful communion 
with the Son. He hath shone with remarkable brightness upon 
my soul. Yesterday a fear respecting a future trial passed 
quickly through my mind : in that moment the sacred Three 
surrounded me, banished the tempter and the temptation, and 
penetrated my inmost soul with a solemn, sweet sense of the 
presence of Deity. How condescending to dust and ashes 
is our God, for Jesus' sake. But I long to sink into all the 
depths of humble love. Let us help each other on by earnest 
prayer. O that we may more than ever be made willing and 
active recipients of every purchased blessing. 

My cares and troubles increased at Hope Chapel till of late 
the storm abated ; but still matters go on poorly. Mr. J. refused 
the chapel, and I seem to see the Lord's call for another visit in 
the spring. May his will be done in that business. Mr. S., of 
Dublin, offers me his service as a stated pastor at Hope Chapel, 
and refers me to Mrs. Johnson, among others, for his character. 
Now, peace be with your spirit. May the sacred attraction in- 
crease till you are lost and swallowed up in the beatific vision, 
prays 

Your fellow traveller, D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXVI.— 1791. 

Death of the Rev. John "Wesley — Lady Maxwell again visits Bristol — 
Fresh difficulties at Hope Chapel — Change in the mode of conducting 
public worship — Correspondence continued. 

An event occurred soon after the commencement of this year, 
highly important in the annals of Methodism. On the 2d of 
March the Rev. John Wesley, after a life of almost unparalleled 
labours and usefulness, was called to his reward. It has been 
seen that this honoured servant of Jesus Christ was rendered 
highly useful to Lady Maxwell at the important period when 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 295 

truth first began to dawn on her mind. By his conversation and 
letters he pointed her, as he had done thousands, to " the Lamb 
of God which taketh away the sin of the world." He led her 
into fellowship with a people among whom she enjoyed what 
she ever deemed her highest privileges : and by a correspond- 
ence which had been maintained till within a short period of his 
death, he had afforded her advice and assistance on many critical 
occasions. Though twenty-seven years had elapsed since first 
they knew each other, time and circumstances had only tended 
to increase and confirm their religious union. In one of his last 
letters to her ladyship, he thus expressed his high esteem : — " I 
really love to write to you, as I love to think of you. And some- 
times it may please Him who sends by whom he will send, to 
give you some assistance by me. And your letters have fre- 
quently been an encouragement and a comfort to me. Let them 
never, my dear friend, be intermitted, during the few T days I have 
to stay below."* When the tidings of Mr. Wesley's departure 
reached her ladyship, " nature felt keenly" at the loss ; yet she 
was enabled sweetly to bow to the sovereign will of God. Anx- 
ious that every proper respect should be paid to such distinguished 
worth, she had the following advertisement, drawn up by her own 
pen, inserted in the Edinburgh newspapers : — " On Wednesday 
last, at his house in London, died that great and good man, the 
Rev. John Wesley, at a very advanced period ; after a life of the 
most unwearied diligence, and unexampled activity in the ser- 
vice of his God, and the general interests of mankind. His ex- 
tensive labours were crowned with uncommon success in various 
parts of different and distant kingdoms. But, as might be ex- 
pected, his very uncommon abilities, and extensive usefulness, 
laid him under that severe tax which all must pay who are so 
far raised above the common level of mankind. Now, that he is 
no longer the object of envy, it is hoped prejudice will give way 
to more candid and honourable sentiments, and thereby leave the 
public at liberty to do justice to one of the greatest characters 
that has appeared since the apostolic age." Two letters have 
been selected out of many, which will sufficiently show what 
were her ladyship's views and feelings on this solemn occasion. 
Soon after this affecting bereavement, Lady Maxwell was 
again called to Bristol. The prosperity of the work of God, at 
Hope Chapel, was an object dear to her heart ; but the prospect 
of doing good was overshadowed by many an intervening cloud. 
An amiable young minister, who had for some time officiated 
there, and who has since, by his printed discourses, delighted 
and instructed many a pious group around the family altar, had 
accepted a call to another congregation. Many difficulties pre- 
sented themselves in securing a suitable successor ; — and preju- 

* Wesley's Works, vol. vii, p. 26. 



296 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

dice against all dissenters, and dissenting modes of worship, with 
a strong predilection for our venerable establishment, generally 
prevailed at Clifton. Under these circumstances her ladyship's 
presence became necessary. She therefore left Edinburgh on 
the 26th of April ; and visiting, as usual, her other chapels in her 
way, arrived at the Hot Wells on the 12th of the following 
month. She was at first greatly oppressed and discouraged on 
witnessing the state of affairs ; and, for some time, remained un- 
certain of the path of duty. Her solicitude and fatigue greatly 
affected the state of her health. But, after fervently imploring 
direction from the great Head of the church, and consulting with 
those whom she deemed best qualified to afford her light on the 
subject, she determined to comply with the general wishes of the 
people, and, as far as she could with a clear conscience, " be- 
come all things to all men, that she might, by all means, save 
some." The change which was made, and the plan finally 
adopted, will be developed in the following letters. 

On this part of her ladyship's conduct, individuals under the 
influence of discordant sentiments will of course judge differently. 
But it is presumed that all who impartially examine the motives 
by which she was actuated — the grand object which she invaria- 
bly pursued — the calm deliberation with which she weighed 
every connecting circumstance — her long and continued prayer 
that she might know and do the will of God, — will readily acquit 
her of all intentional wrong, and give her credit for doing what 
she firmly believed was most likely to secure the benevolent de- 
signs of the foundress of the chapel. The candid and the pious 
will view it as a noble triumph gained over every party feeling 
and the strong bias of national prejudice, by a supreme desire to 
promote the glory of God and the salvation of immortal souls. 
And, perhaps, all will allow to her ladyship that " modes and 
forms are no farther useful than as they are calculated to pro- 
mote these valuable purposes."* But she shall again speak for 
herself. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

January 11,1791. 
The hints which Mr. Mather gave in his last, I proved very 
seasonable and useful, respecting the trials and temptations con- 
sequent upon bearing the burthens of Christians at a throne of 
grace. I have suffered a good deal from that quarter lately. An 
unusual spirit of prayer was poured upon me for many weeks. I 
was constrained to plead earnestly and frequently ; more espe- 
cially for the prosperity of the society in Edinburgh ; that the 

* On all points of an extrinsic or circumstantial nature, things superin- 
duced upon Christianity, or which attach to it merely as the deductions of 
human opinion, the church of Christ may he internally divided without 
schism : may admit of diversity without disunion. — Conder on Protestant 
Nonconformity, b. i, sec. 1 1, p. 58. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 29? 

Lord would raise up many witnesses of his power to save to the 
uttermost ; and was greatly encouraged herein, more particularly 
upon Wednesday, the loth of last December. A most remark- 
able spirit of intercession rested upon me. I seemed to see Je- 
hovah by faith, seated on a throne of grace. He condescended 
to give me a wonderful audience for myself, and all I brought 
with me in the arms of Christian love and faith. No man ever 
more literally presented his friend at court, to an earthly sove- 
reign, than I was by faith permitted to present particular souls 
to the King of kings ; and to plead for the blessings of which I 
knew they stood in need, and were seeking after. A prayer- 
hearing God seemed most graciously to listen to all my petitions,, 
which were chiefly confined to sanctification : nor could I doubt 
but they were registered, and would be answered. I obtained no 
particular promises, nor did I seem to require any farther con- 
firmation in the important business. A crowd of Christian 
friends seemed to pour in upon my mind, and plead hard to be 
remembered. This remarkable and solemn interview continued 
for hours ; and had time, strength, &c, permitted me to improve 
the precious opportunity to the uttermost, it would, perhaps, have 
been still better for myself and others. With truth I can say I 
gave over asking, before my God gave over listening to my re- 
quests. It was a memorable season indeed. But what is par- 
ticular, the moment I ceased pleading* I entered into a sea of 
temptation, and was so buffeted of Satan, for weeks after, as no 
language can express. The fiery darts of the enraged adversary 
so pierced my soul as to affect my body. My heart was wrung 
with keen distress. Every inch of ground was disputed with 
me, and every grain of my grace was tried to the uttermost. 
Even the witness for sanctification was attacked. This I would 
not yield, though the combined powers of darkness seemed to 
unite to wrest it from me. He that dwells on high only knows 
what 1 suffered ; and he was gracious, and kindly condescended 
to explain why it was thus with me. He sweety whispered his 
pardoning and purifying love to my soul. He did, indeed, won- 
derfully uphold me by the right hand of his power ; yet, for a 
time, only so far as to strengthen and endure the appointed time 
of trial. Marylike, I pondered all this in my own breast, not 
thinking it prudent to divulge it to any here. But now the tem- 
pest is abated ; the waters are assuaged ; the enemy is rebuked ; 
and my mind is filled with heavenly serenity and divine compo- 
sure. I dwell in love and in God ; and enjoy a glorious liberty, 
through believing. I sweetly rest in Jesus, and enjoy the 
Spirit's seal for the destruction of the bitter root : and all these 
trying scenes, that so tend to disturb the tenor of placid life, are 
easily endured, reaching only the surface of the soul. Mr. Ma- 
tlior haying strengthened me by the useful information conveyed 
in his last, T would now wish him to help me to improve to the 
13* 



39S LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

uttermost, from these trying conflicts, which are now happily 
over. 

I hope the Lord will, more than ever, arise and maintain his 
cause in our northern clime ; more especially as it respects that 
important branch of Christian doctrine and experience, perfect 
love. 

This has been written in a great hurry, with many interrup- 
tions, as I have a variety of secular affairs to attend to this day, 
which must cover all defects. The situation of Hope Chapel will, 
I believe, oblige me to go to Bristol in April. It is now almost 
the only piece of important business that remains unsettled, of 
all that work left me to finish by my friend, now in glory ; and 
which was so clearly put into my hands by the great Disposer 
of all events. Upon a retrospect of the whole business, (from 
first to last enveloped in confusion and perplexity,) truly I have 
great cause to say, " What hath God wrought?" When to this 
I add what he hath done for my soul in the course of these four 
years, in which I have been so fully occupied, I am " lost in 
w r onder, love, and praise." This last year far exceeds any 
former experience, for depth of communion with Deity ; for 
amazing displays of the love and power of Jehovah ; for exer- 
tions in his cause, and for his people: "It is mystery all!" 
Strongly glows the flame of grateful love in my heart. May it 
burn stronger and stronger, till it mingles with the blaze of eter- 
nal day. Wishing you all the fulness of gospel promises, I re- 
main, Rev. sir, 

Your humble servant, D. Maxwell. 

TO MRS. JOHNSON, ON THE DEATH OF REV. JOHN WESLEV. 

March 14, 1791. 

I rejoice to see my good friend's hand once more ; and to 
hear that the Lord is still dealing so tenderly and graciously with 
her. At present I am so situated, I can only catch a moment 
to write a few lines. And so that great and good man is gone ! 
A dispensation, big with importance to thousands. I felt keenly, 
though perfectly satisfied. A year or two more would have re- 
duced him to a state of childhood : but now he has made an 
honourable retreat, in the possession of all his mental powers ; 
after along life of unwearied diligence, and unexampled activity 
in the service of his God, and the general interests of mankind, 
and with most uncommon success attending his extensive la- 
bours. May the Lord still be the Head of the large body of 
Christians he has left behind. that one soul may animate the 
whole. 

It is impossible for me to tell you how good my God has been 
to me on this mournful occasion. A spring tide of pure, perfect 
love has filled my soul. 1 have felt such a sinking into Jehovah, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 299 

so lost in his immensity, as I cannot express : no rapturous joy, 
but a full sea of holy, humble love. My heart was melted into 
deep gratitude ; its tenderest feelings were called forth ; and 
every degree of that anxiety about future events which brings 
weakness into the soul, was entirely excluded. What can I ren- 
der unto the Lord for this exuberance of goodness, so well suited 
to my present feelings, when mourning the loss of a valuable 
friend and most useful minister of Christ. Truly I am made to 
rise above the grave of my departed friend : I trace him wor- 
shipping before the throne, and by faith hold fellowship with his 
spirit. Blessed Jesus, how sweet art thou to my soul ; the 
sacred source of all my comforts ! 

But I want to know my Jesus better. O help me forward. I 
do desire to draw many with me, and am helped to speak plainly 
and to bear a decided testimony for God. We are gaining 
ground here, both in numbers and grace. Two of the preachers 
possess, and openly declare the perfect love of God. The third 
has made great advances; but has not yet attained. Plead for 
him. In haste, farewell. May you sink deeper into Jesus, and 
rise still higher, and continue to assist 

Your fellow pilgrim, D. Maxwell. 

TO MISS RITCHIE, ON THE SAME SUBJECT. 

March 19, 1791. 
1 am much indebted to dear Miss Ritchie for her very obliging 
attention, at a time when she must have been much occupied, 
and had all her tenderest feelings tried to the uttermost. Your 
narrative gave much satisfaction to my mind, though nature felt 
keenly. I cannot sufficiently adore the goodness of my God ; 
who, from the moment the doleful tidings reached my ears, so 
encircled me in the divine arms, so poured his love into my 
aching heart, as at once to leave it at liberty to pay the tribute 
so justly due to the memory of the dear departed saint ; and, 
also, to rest with the fullest acquiescence in the divine will. 
Surely all things are possible to them that believe. You have 
been highly privileged these last two winters in being so much 
with that eminent servant of God ; whose life was such a living 
comment upon the pure doctrines he taught ; and, at last, how 
greatly honoured, in witnessing the closing scene. By faith, I 
can view him worshipping before Jehovah's throne ; and seem 
to hold fellowship witli his happy spirit. I do not know that I 
ever heard of a life so crowded with action ; so unweariedly 
filled up with and for God — not one vacant moment in the 
twenty-four hours. Many sons have done well ; but, if I do not 
view him through ;i ton flattering medium, he excels them all. 
The Lord enable us, in our small measure, to be faithful ; to live 
more to him, by whom it is we live at all. 



300 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Lately my God seems, more than ever, to be fixing me with 
all his weight of love. He has wonderfully chained up, for a 
time, the powers of darkness ; so that I seem, as it were, to lay 
becalmed in the midst of a boundless pacific ocean of pure love. 
I prove divine love a noble, generous principle ; it will not be 
kept down ; it rises above all things, both painful and pleasant. 
It is an adequate support under every pressure, and a happy pre- 
servative against ensnaring temptations. O love divine, how 
sweet, how strong thou art. But I am called to higher things, 
and feebly press on to all the heights and depths of perfect love. 
From what I feel, I must conclude the heaven of heavens is 
love. 

I pray that dear Miss Ritchie may feel such a spring tide of 
this pure element, filling the whole capacity of her soul, on this 
mournful occasion, as shall effectually dry every tear — except 
those that delight ; and suppress every sigh — except those that 
waft to heaven. 

We gain ground here, both in numbers and in grace : and, 
since the melancholy dispensation took place, an uncommon 
thirst after the word has sensibly increased. O that multitudes 
may so hear as to believe, and obtain the final salvation of their 
souls. So prays, dear Miss Ritchie's affectionate fellow travel- 
ler, and friend in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER, 

Bristol, June 24, 1791. 
Rev. Sir, — Your Christian letter came in course, but I have 
been prevented answering by various causes. I have had a se- 
vere cold, and also suffered keenly on account of the situation of 
Hope Chapel. From strong desires for its prosperity, and un- 
certainty of the path of duty, I had at first opened it upon the dis- 
senting plan ; but, from the beginning, was told it never would 
succeed, without admitting the church service. Not finding 
liberty to take this step, I continued to carry it on as I had be- 
gun ; believing that the Lord would lead me into his will, as I 
had no desire respecting it but this. After three years' trial, I 
am now convinced that the present plan does not reach the gene- 
rous design of the institution ; namely, extensive usefulness, in- 
dependent of parties, or modes, or forms of worship. These 
latter, I see, are no farther useful than as they are calculated to 
promote valuable purposes. The eligibility of a change I now 
clearly perceive ; and what that change should be, the uniform 
voice of the public leaves me without a doubt. Yet, without 
the word of command from the great Head of the church, I durst 
not proceed. I cried mightily unto the Lord, for light to discover, 
and power and inclination to do his icill in this business, and this 
in great condescension he has given. The way is plain, and I 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 301 

have taken my measures accordingly; without regarding the 
smiles or frowns of any. I am to adopt the church service, 
without putting the chapel under episcopal jurisdiction ; to fix a 
church minister in it, truly alive to God ; to have the service only 
on the Lord's day ; not to allow admission to the Lord's table 
without a ticket ; to keep the pulpit open for worthy characters 
of different denominations ; together with some other regula- 
tions which may be profitable. This design, having transpired, 
has given universal satisfaction ; and now high and low flock to 
hear. Most of the inhabitants of Clifton are Episcopalians, and 
two-thirds of the vast multitude that annually resort from all 
quarters, for the benefit of the waters, are of the same persua- 
sion ; all tenacious of their church forms, and would by no means 
listen to a dissenter. 

This revolution, which I trust is of God, has greatly increased 
my labours, both of head and hands ; but the Lord hath upheld 
me hitherto ; and though thus continually occupied, I have never- 
theless had more intercourse with the Methodists here than ever 
formerly. I have frequented the Room more, and heard with 
much satisfaction and profit, especially from Mr. H. Moore. My 
favourite meetings with the people have indeed been precious 
seasons ; much owned of God. In them I endeavoured to bear 
my testimony to the work of sanctification ; both as a doctrine, 
and as experienced in my own soul. I found not a few just 
ready to lay hold of the blessing. The Lord gave strength for 
it, and I found much liberty to speak upon the only ivay of ob- 
taining this farther salvation, simple faith. And now, after all 
my feeble attempts, in different ways, to promote the glory of 
my God and his kingdom among men, I begin to look home- 
ward, being almost worn out ; and have a desire, if it be the Lord's 
will, to meet with Mr. Mather in my way. I mean to leave 
here on Thursday, the 30th, and would be glad to hear from you 
before then. Inform me if I should find you at Wakefield about 
the 12th of July. If all goes well I think I may reach there by 
that time, or at least by the 15th. 

In great haste, I must conclude this inaccurate epistle. Many 
interruptions will prove an apology. Wishing Jesus may so 
dwell in you as to be the constant solace, the momentary food 
of your soul, and daily renew your commission to preach with 
power and success the whole gospel, I remain, Rev. sir, 

Your humble servant in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 

TO MRS. JOHNSON. 

August 2, 1791. 
By the good hand of my God upon me I reached home on 
Saturday, the 30th, mercifully preserved from danger, though not 
from fear. To keep clear of the riots at Birmingham, I was 



302 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

obliged to change my road. It was mostly a time of temptation 
and trial, but my God was at hand to support and deliver ; and 
afforded many opportunities of acting for him, and has also given 
me cause to praise him since I came home. I long to hear of 
my Bristol friends ; they have been much upon my mind, and I 
have been led to hope that the Lord was at work among them. 
I trust Mrs. G. stands fast in the faith. Tell her it will give me 
much satisfaction to know this from herself. Worthy Mrs. 
Valton can, I hope, now firmly believe that the bitter root is de- 
stroyed. I felt much liberty to speak before her amiable hus- 
band : may he wax stronger and stronger. Has Mrs. L. yet 
entered into the promised land ? I feel much interested in all of 
these I met with. I never saw more clearly than when at Bris- 
tol the value of simple faith. O this does so help me in every 
situation as words cannot express. It so sensibly draws virtue 
from the Saviour as diffuses present healing through iny soul, 
and counteracts the malicious designs of the subtle adversary. 
Had I a voice that could reach to the ends of the Christian 
world, I would say to every seeking penitent, only believe and 
justification is yours; only believe, and sanctification is yours. 
It is this of which my friends at Bristol stand so much in need. 
Their souls are ripe for the full salvation of God. Could I im- 
part this invaluable blessing, how willingly would I do it. May 
He who is both able and willing, bestow it upon each of them 
for his name's sake who died to purchase it. My soul feels on 
stretch for them. Let us plead mightily with God on their be- 
half. 

I met with a precious old female disciple at Penrith ; so strong 
in the faith ; so rooted and grounded in it ; so divinely clear in 
her experience with respect to sanctification, as refreshed my 
soul greatly. She has been in this blessed state for many years. 
I trust your soul sinks deeper, and rises higher, into all the life 
of God. My soul longs for greater nearness to my God. I feel 
a sweet sinking into him, but this cannot suffice. 

Having much business on hand from my long absence, I must 
conclude. Shall be glad to hear soon from you, with good ac- 
counts of the precious souls with you. Dear Mrs. Johnson's 
friend in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 



TO THE REV. C. ATMORE, ALNWICK. 

December 28, 1791. 
Your letter, Rev. sir, I received in course. I esteem it a privi- 
lege, on every proper occasion, to show my good will and de- 
sire to promote the cause of God. Did my abilities keep pace 
with my inclinations, my attempts in that way would be more 
frequent and large. Lately, my engagements of that kind have 
been more numerous than ever ; and I can truly say my heart 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 303 

has been proportionally enlarged. But, in order to help all, I 
have been constrained to give less to each than T otherwise should 
have done : this will, I hope, preclude the propriety of an apo- 
logy for the enclosed. 

I am glad to hear that the Lord owns the exertions which 
you are making, both in the spiritual and temporal concerns of 
his cause ; and that he favours you with frequent visits from on 
high. But is he not willing to do greater things for you 1 O 
yes ! Devise liberal things of God, and by these you shall stand 
and testify, not only that Jesus has power on earth to forgive 
sin, but also to cleanse from all unrighteousness. Then com- 
mences the eternal sunshine of the spotless mind : — 

" Desires composed, affections ever even, 
Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to heaven. " 

Through the tender mercy of my God, I am enabled still to 
walk in the liberty of the gospel — to endure as seeing Him who 
is invisible. Bat, though I have begun to scale the mount of 
holiest love, I am far from the summit of my wishes. There are 
heights and depths of the pure love of Jehovah of which I am 
kept in continual pursuit, but not so as thereby to prevent the 
sweet enjoyment of what is already bestowed. 

We have some increase here. Wishing that every revolving 
season may find you increasing in usefulness and conformity to 
the divine image, and with my own and Christian friends' best 
wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Atmore, I am, Rev. sir, 
Your faithful, humble servant in the Lord, 

D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXVII.— 1792. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 
From this period the letters of Lady Maxwell which have 
been preserved, become less numerous. We shall, therefore, in 
tracing the subsequent stages of her experience, have recourse 
principally to her diary : reserving, however, the liberty of in- 
serting in chronological order, at the end of each year, such ex- 
tracts from her letters as may either tend farther to elucidate 
the exercises of her mind, or be calculated to convey instruction 
to others. 

January 7. Agreeably to my earnest desire I have, through 
the tender mercy and great indulgence of a God of love, seen 
greater things indeed. I had frequently prayed that I might 
terminate the last, and begin this new year, under the peculiar 



304 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

smile of Heaven ; and of a truth, my expectations were greatly 
exceeded. Early on Sunday morning, the first day of this year, 
1 had a most wonderful display of the love and power of a triune 
God. This continued for many hours in its full strength, and, 
in a degree, for several days — it was a most memorable season — 
I proved the " overwhelming power of saving grace." I would 
here attempt to give the great outlines ; for no human pen can 
describe all I felt and saw. Early on Sunday morning, in secret 
prayer, God the Father and Son drew very nigh. A sense of 
the divine presence so penetrated my inmost soul as to arrest the 
whole powers of my mind, in deep and solemn attention. A 
spirit of supplication was then poured upon me for myself and 
others ; while I felt so surrounded with Deity, so let into Jeho- 
vah, as no words can express. It seemed as if I might ask what 
I would, both for myself and others, with confidence that it 
should be done for me. This glorious and solemn interview con- 
tinued till half past ten. I then went to chapel, when it was 
greatly increased. The eternal world felt very nigh ; I seemed 
by faith come to Mount Sion, the heavenly Jerusalem. My 
spirit felt mingling with its blessed inhabitants, while the sacred 
Three felt, as it were, encamping around me. It was glory all — 
past expression ! I seemed to sink deeper into the boundless 
ocean of pure love. This did not appear to me a solitary- 
blessing, but in a measure diffused through the whole congrega- 
tion assembled for the purpose of showing forth the dying love 
of Jesus. I have learned that many were peculiarly blessed at 
the time. my God, what can I say to these things'? It is 
mercy, pure unbounded mercy. Enable me to improve these 
precious seasons to the uttermost. O Jesus, keep the loving eye 
of my faith steadily upon thyself; cover my defenceless head 
with the shadow of thy wing ; then shall I be safe. 

20. Since the 13th I have experienced the goodness of 

the Lord : the languor then complained of has been in a measure 
removed. On the morning of the 16th, my God strongly im- 
pressed upon my heart the following words : " The Lord is with 
me as a mighty, terrible one ; therefore my persecutors shall 
stumble, and they shall not prevail : they shall be greatly 
ashamed ; for they shall not prosper ; their everlasting confusion 
shall never be forgotten. But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the 
righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy ven- 
geance on them ; for unto thee have I opened my cause. Sing 
unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord ; for he hath delivered the 
soul of the poor from the hand of evil doers," Jer. xx, 11-13. 
Immediately after, the following passage seemed to pierce my 
inmost soul : " Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye 
may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall 
come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man," Luke xxi, 
36. It is not easy to say what my feelings were on this occa- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 305 

sion ; the words solemnized my mind, and increased my desire 
and power to pray and watch. They have frequently recurred 
to my remembrance since, awakening in me a godly jealousy lest 
I should offend. O how good is the Lord to his poor creature, 
who, in the midst of many weaknesses, desires to love him with 
all her heart. With what wisdom and tenderness was the word 
of admonition administered ! first strengthening and comforting 
my soul, by telling me he was with me ; and then warning me 
of danger, by pointing me to the best preservatives against it. 
Bless the Lord, O my soul. 

May 20. Since my last date, I have gone through a hot furnace 
of bodily and mental distress. At times my God and Saviour 
drew nigh, and often disappointed my fears ; but my disorder 
deeply affecting my nerves and spirits, I suffered keenly. I now 
learned the propriety and necessity of those scriptures which 
were applied to my mind before the commencement of this great 
affliction. Alas ! fear chilled my soul, and in a measure sunk 
me from God : at least from that degree of sweet communion 
with the Father and Son with which I had been favoured for four 
or five years. Words can faintly express what I have suffered. 
O that all may be sanctified to the utmost, and be succeeded by 
love so matured as to exclude all doubt and fear. In many 
things, during my illness, I saw the hand of God, and had cause 
to bless him for his tender dealings : but still the powers of dark- 
ness were permitted to harass me greatly ; and I did not, as I 
ought, glorify my God in the midst of the fires. One lesson my 
God has been teaching me all along — the virtue, the necessity 
of simple faith ; that by faith, and not joy, I must live. He 
has, in a measure, often enabled me so strongly to act faith on 
Jesus for sanctification, even in the absence of comfort, as dif- 
fused a heaven of sweetness through my soul, and brought with 
it the powerful witness for purity. The Lord has also been 
teaching me to die to all self-complacency. He hath showed 
me much of my weakness, nothingness, poverty, and emptiness ; 
and, at the same time, how simple faith brings divine life into 
the soul. Within these few days, he has begun to repeat former 
manifestations of love, but they are generally succeeded by 
temptation. Though restored in a measure, it is as yet a state 
of spiritual weakness, but I fervently desire an increase of every 
grace. 

June 22. During the last fortnight, I have been travelling for 
the benefit of my health, and have cause to say the end has been 
in some measure answered. Many opportunities have offered for 
the spiritual and temporal benefit of others : O that an effectual 
blessing may follow these efforts. The Lord graciously interposed 
in times of danger on the road. In mercy he brought me home 
on the 20th, and enabled me to testify of his goodness to my soul 
when with his children. His dealings with me for some time 



306 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

past have been widely different from former times ? he seems to 
call me now especially to live by faith, and to listen to the 
various teachings of his Spirit. O that I may profit by all, and 
be enabled to glorify my God under every varied dispensation. 

August 24. I have been again visited with bodily affliction, 
but my God dealt tenderly with me while it continued, and has 
in mercy removed it. I would observe, with gratitude, that 
while it remained the tide of spiritual temptations ran in a low 
channel. I had more comfort, more liberty at a throne of grace, 
and felt powerfully the witness for sanctification. The Lord 
teaches me that it is by simple faith alone that I can either 
obtain, retain, or increase, with regard to any gospel blessing ; 
and this mode of proceeding he condescends to own. I see it is 
owing to the mighty power of God, that I have been enabled to 
stand, in any measure, in the midst of floods of temptations 
which have recently prevailed. But O, I want to see greater 
things — to get faster on— to obtain more powerful renewals of 
former blessings. Hasten, Lord, the happy time. 

October 26. I have lately known both the sweets of deep 
communion with the Father and Son, and also the depths of 
temptation : may both answer valuable purposes. On Monday 
last, in the evening, when in secret prayer, I was most unex- 
pectedly favoured with a richer manifestation of the love of God 
than for many months before. The Father and Son broke in 
upon my soul with sweet surprise, which filled me with speech- 
less awe. A deep sense of Deity surrounded and pierced my 
inmost soul. I could hardly credit my own feelings, or converse 
with mortals all that evening. This happy visitation continued 
for several days ; but lest I should be exalted above measure, a 
messenger of Satan was permitted to buffet me for a short sea- 
son. This I felt exceedingly painful, and it gradually lessened 
my joys. The wormwood and gall of severe temptations are 
very bitter, after such heights of spiritual enjoyments : but I 
believe they are very common. The Lord make me faithful in 
every situation. My prayer was for much of that conquering 
faith which pain, and fear, and death defies ; for the spirit of 
power, that I might stand unmoved ; sink deeper into self- 
knowledge, and rise higher in divine wisdom and love. 

December 7. How shall I record the loving kindness of my 
gracious God ! How sufficiently praise him ! On Monday even- 
ing, while hearing a discourse from, " Grow in grace," it was 
inwardly suggested, and surely from on high, " You should lift 
up your heart in prayer to God for his presence and blessing 
upon his people." Being enabled immediately to comply with 
the heavenly exhortation, through abounding mercy, I quickly 
caught the answering of returning grace. In a moment, God 
the Father, and Son, drew very nigh, and the place seemed filled 
with the divine presence, and with it my inmost soul felt deeply 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 307 

penetrated. The heavenly attraction was strong, and the inter- 
course open : the love of God flowed in copious streams into my 
breast, and I trust the blessing was general. Since then I have 
continually tasted celestial sweetness, and have rejoiced as a 
daughter of Zion, because of an indwelling God. Yet, though 
faith in some measure feels lost in fruition, the direct witness for 
sanctification is not so distinct. My enjoyment consists chiefly 
of delightful fellowship with the Father and the Son ; and a con- 
tinual sense of their presence, without, almost, a thought either 
of justification or sanctification. I trust a flame is kindled in my 
breast that shall never be extinguished. I have had, as is gene- 
rally the case, when so highly favoured, furious attacks from the 
adversary of souls : these have affected deeply, but not robbed 
me of my heavenly guests. I asked a token for good before the 
end of the year ; and O, how graciously has God granted my 
request ! 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

January 24, 1792. 

I long to know what has become of my valuable correspondent, 
who has been now silent for many months. Perhaps the cause 
of this originates in mvself : I believe I stand indebted to him 
for one letter. But as he knows that necessary attention to the 
work committed to me sets a seal upon a very large portion 
of my time, might he not sometimes give me two for one 1 A 
few minutes of his valuable time, spent in accelerating the mo- 
tion of a soul toward its centre, that has many things to retard 
its progress, would not, it is hoped, be a fruitless service to 
either. 

I hope that " I deeper sink, and higher rise." I have never 
known so much of the nature of simple faith, or its unspeakable 
value, as since I tasted of the pure love of God. Plying this 
oar, I mean the direct act of faith, in stripping times, how is my 
soul upheld in the midst of temptations : at one time so subtle 
it requires superior light to discover the cloven foot ; at another, 
so furious I am obliged to suspend, as far as possible, the power 
of thought, in order to reject the injections of the adversary. 
Who can speak the value of simple faith 1 Without it, how 
soon should I become weak as others. Surely my God does 
all things well and wisely : for if, with the mariner, I am per- 
mitted to go down sometimes into the deeps, it is only to be 
brought up again to see the wonderful works of the Lord. Can 
any have greater cause to praise him ? I mean not to insinuate 
that I have more grace than others ; but that my situation, from 
particular circumstances, requires much divine leaching, much 
comfort, much tenderness, superior attention, much direction ; 
and all this a God of love vouchsafes me, and in a way that 



308 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL, 

keeps me dependent upon himself, deeply sensible to whom I 
am indebted. 

I am daily aiming at all the perfection of nature and grace 
that a probationary state of comparative imperfection will admit ; 
but have the daily mortification to find I am far short, though 
not wide of the mark. Do you approve of this distinction ? I 
mean (lest you should mistake me) not out of the right road. 

I shall be glad to hear that you are making rapid progress 
heavenward ; and also favoured with much success in your 
ministerial labours : and I am, Rev. sir, 

Your faithful, humble servant in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 

TO MISS RITCHIE. 

January 24, 1792. 

When I received dear Miss Ritchie's kind letter, I was at the 
Hot Wells, Bristol, in a very poor state of health : partly owing«to 
great and continual exertions both of body and mind. I felt a 
little of our dear Lord's sufferings when he said, " The zeal of 
thine house hath eaten me up." Such was the weakness of my 
animal frame at that time, that even the pleasing and very pro- 
fitable seasons I enjoyed frequently, with Christians in Bristol, 
were too much for me. They were, indeed, precious opportu- 
nities. The Lord was with us of a truth. I hope ever to retain 
a grateful sense of his goodness at that time, both to myself and 
others. I have not yet regained my usual health ; but, blessed 
be a God of love, the scale of blessings greatly preponderates 
in my soul. I am still permitted to walk in the liberty of the 
gospel ; to enjoy delightful fellowship with the Father and the 
Son : a holy familiarity with Jehovah ; at times so near, so 
solemn, and faith so realizing the sacred presence, that mortal 
language would in vain attempt to express what is seen, what is 
felt : and, in short, what passes between the Majesty of heaven 
and dust and ashes, upon these very solemn and very important 
occasions. Suffice it to say, it is glory all, and all divine. As 
far as I understand the mind of the Lord, these sacred interviews 
are granted for the spiritual benefit of others, as well as myself. 
There is generally a remarkable spirit of prayer and supplication 
poured upon me for the prosperity of the Lord's people ; and I 
am so permitted to plead for them, so let into Jehovah, so made 
to see by faith Him that is invisible, as I can nowise express. 
Blessed be the Lord for a capacity to enjoy it ! At other times, 
my intercourse is, in a peculiar manner, with God the Son : then 
the grandeur of majesty is absorbed in pure love. I sink down 
into a boundless ocean of perfect love. that I may improve 
to the uttermost these great privileges. 

My situation, from various causes, requires much of the pre- 
sence of God — much divine teaching, support, and comfort ; and, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 309 

in tender mercy, he bestows it. But you must not conclude that 
I have a perpetual sunshine. No ! I have sifting times, when 
every grain of grace is tried : diversified temptations prevail, 
and divine comforts run in a low channel. These are chasms 
which the Lord shows me I must endeavour to fill up with faith 
and prayer. He sensibly strengthens me to endure ; and thus 
kept, I soon emerge, I humbly hope, with some advantage : with 
fresh proofs of the Lord's goodness ; with deeper convictions 
of my own weakness ; and with clearer views of the suitability 
of Jesus in all his mediatorial characters. How good, how ten- 
der, is our God! Surely, as one whom his mother comforteth, 
so doth he deal with us. And it is no small mercy that we are 
not permitted to rest in present attainments. Perhaps this is 
one end that is answered by these changes we sometimes expe- 
rience for the worse, according to our own apprehension ; though 
I believe it is only an alteration in point of enjoyment, not of pos- 
session: for I have found a degree of danger, of sinking down 
too much into the ecstatic sweets of present enjoyment, when my 
soul was in its zenith of fellowship with the triune God. It would 
be very desirable to feel the soul every moment ascending with 
an even flame ; but I am doubtful whether the animal frame, in 
its present state, can admit of this. 

Surely, " It doth not yet appear what we shall be :" it is 
enough to know that, when Christ shall " appear, we shall be 
like him." Hail, auspicious morn ! Till then, Jet us press on, 
and, with unabating vigour, nobly struggle through every diffi- 
culty. " And yet a little while, and He that shall come, will 
come." 

I enter into dear Miss Ritchie's tender and acute feelings, 
when taking a retrospect of the great loss she has sustained, by 
the departure of a justly dear and invaluable friend — perhaps, 
the most costly sacrifice she ever offered up to Him who claims 
and possesses all her heart. I have been uncommonly carried 
above almost every painful thought and feeling, since Mr. Wesley 
left our world, by being allowed one invariable and delightful 
view of him, as worshipping before the throne. This keeps me 
perfectly alive to the full value of his character ; softens and 
sweetly melts my heart ; and will, I trust, accelerate my motion 
heavenward. His death, I believe, has been made a blessing 
to many, by him whose prerogative it is to extract good from 
seeming evil. 

As I cannot always command my time, part of this was writ- 
lea some days ago. Since then I have had a most precious 
view of a triune Deity, which still remains with me, more clear 
than formerly. What an immense treasure is here opened to 
the Christian by simple faith. In diversified distress, how sooth- 
ing in our best times : what a splendid thought, to be surrounded 
with the sacred Trinity ! " It is mystery all !" The line of 



310 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

reason is too short to fathom the depth of his love : our under- 
standing too limited to conceive properly of its dignity. 

But my paper admonishes me that I must have done. Do 
you follow out the glorious theme, and enlarge upon it in your 
next ; which I hope to be able to answer sooner than I have done 
your last. D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXVIII.— 1793. 

State of the nation at this period — Spread of infidelity — War proclaimed 
with France — Meetings for prayer among Christians — Diary and corre- 
spondence continued. 

Before we proceed to farther extracts from her ladyship's 
writings, it may be proper briefly to advert to the state of the 
nation at this period, in order to illustrate many of her subse- 
quent allusions. This, indeed, will tend to show, in awful con- 
trast, the influence of infidel and irreligious principles, when 
compared with the genuine tendency of the gospel of Christ, as 
displayed in these volumes. To those conversant with the 
history of Europe, it will be readily remembered that the most 
fearful convulsions were, at this time, threatening to shake the 
very basis of all civil, political, and ecclesiastical establishments. 
The horrid principles maintained by the atheistical and infidel 
philosophers of France had already spread anarchy, devastation, 
and misery throughout every rank and order of her vast popula- 
tion. By the levelling influence of these degraded and degrad- 
ing principles, all their religious houses had been suppressed — 
the property of the clergy confiscated — the clergy themselves 
deprived of all their judiciary functions — and the very plate of 
their churches converted into currency. Having thrown down 
the altar, they proceeded, with the most infatuated violence, to 
farther outrage ; and, under the specious pretence of liberty and 
equality, abolished all titular distinction and feudal rights ;* and 
declared the kingly authority to be extinct. Having farther 
endeavoured to eradicate from their minds all sense of moral 
responsibility and all apprehensions of a coming eternity — with- 
out law, and consequently without control, they indulged, with- 
out remorse, the most savage and brutal passions ; and stood 
forth before the astonished gaze of the world, a nation of lawless 
banditti. Beside a number of dreadful massacres at Paris, and 
elsewhere, in the course of the preceding year, the destructive 
guillotine was invented ; and France was now covered with 

* On the 25th of August, 1792, the archives of the order of St. Esprit, 
and the titles of nobility, enrolled in the convent of the Great Augustines 
at Paris, -with all the registered proofs of nobility, amounting to nearly 600 
huge folios, were publicly burned in the Place Vendome. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 311 

scaffolds, on which an immense quantity of blood was shed. To 
this blind and infuriated rage, during the present year, Louis 
XVI. first, and afterward Marie Antoinette, of Austria, his 
bereaved widow, fell a sacrifice. And, as if determined to carry 
their blasphemy to the most awful degree of daring, and, impos- 
sible, dethrone Jehovah himself, on the seventh of the ensuing 
December, the public exercise of the national religion was for- 
bidden, and the worship of reason, liberty, and other imaginary 
deities, established in its stead.* 

Happy would it have been for Britain had the operation of 
these detestable principles been confined to the other side of the 
channel. But the infernal leaven which had, more or less, 
diffused itself through every nation of Europe, was, at this 
period, banefully tainting the minds and morals of multitudes in 
our own happy country. The infamous Paine, and his coadju- 
tors, zealous in the service of infidelity, had given circulation to 
an astonishing number of volumes and pamphlets ; and addressing 
themselves, in artful language, to the passions and prejudices of 

* "IThe only instance in which infidels of any description have possess- 
ed the^upreme power and government of a country, and have attempted 
to dispose of human happiness according to their own doctrines and wishes, 
is that of France, since the beginning of the revolution. If we consider 
this government as established over a nation educated for ages to the be- 
lief and obedience of many doctrines of Christianity, and retaining, as to a 
great majority of the people, the habits formed by that education, the state 
of that nation will evince, beyond a question, that all which I have said 
[on the dreadful tendency of infidelity] is true without exaggeration. 
France, during this period, has been a theatre of crimes, which, after all 
preceding perpetrations, have excited in the mind of every spectator, 
amazement and horror. Tiie miseries suffered by that single nation have 
changed all the histories of the preceding sufferings of mankind into idle 
tales, and have been enhanced and multiplied, without a precedent, with- 
out number, and without name. The kingdom appeared to be changed into 
one great prison ; the inhabitants converted into felons, and the common 
doom of man commuted for the violence of the sword and the bayonet, the 
sucking boat and the guillotine. To contemplative men it seemed for a 
season as if the knell of the whole nation was tolled, and the world sum- 
moned to its funeral. Within the short time of ten years, not less than 
three millions of human beings are supposed to have perished in that single 
country, by the influence of atheism." Were such principles universally 
prevalent, * appetite would change every man into a swine, and passio?i into 
a tiger. Right would neither be acknowledged, nor be felt, nor exist. What- 
ever was coveted would be sought and obtained, if it could be done with 
safety. Whatever was hated would, so far as safety would permit, be 
hunted and destroyed. To deceive, to fraud, to betray, to maim, to torture, 
and to butcher, would be the common employment, and the common sport. 
The dearest and most venerable relations would be violated by incestuous 
pollution; and children, such of them I mean as were not cast under a 
nedge, thrown into the sea, or dashed against the stones, would grow up 
without a home, without :i parent, without a friend. The world would 
become one vast den ; one immeasurable sty ; and the swine and the wolf 
would be degraded, by a comparison with its inhabitants.' May God 
preserve Britain from the influence of such infernal principles." — Vide 
Dwight's Theology Explained, cfc, vol. i, p. 51. 



312 LIFE OP LADY MAXWELL. 

the lower orders in society, too well succeeded in their diaboli- 
cal purposes. Symptons of insubordination were manifested in 
different parts of the country, — apprehensions of insurrection 
created alarm, — and the people of Britain, reflecting on the horrid 
outrages which had recently occurred on the continent, felt as 
if under the tremour of a general panic. 

In addition to these affecting particulars, at the commence- 
ment of this year war was proclaimed between England and 
France, and the nation was involved in all the calamities of a 
long and fearfully bloody contest. Great commercial distress 
became almost universal ; and a full tide of bankruptcy setting 
in, swept away the independence and comfort of many a happy 
family. For several of the following years, our island was 
menaced by its foreign enemies ; formidable preparations were 
made for invading its shores ; and the public mind was thus long 
kept in a fearfully perturbed and agitated state. 

Lady Maxwell, in common with other pious persons, recog- 
nized in all this the righteous government of God. She viewed 
these calamities as indications of his just displeasure. She 
lamented the aboundings of infidelity and ungodliness P and, 
contrasting these with the religious privileges which England 
enjoyed, she could not but fear the most alarming consequences. 
Under these apprehensions, she believed that the salvation of 
our guilty land depended solely on the mercy and seasonable 
interposition of a gracious God ; and that it was the duty of 
Christians to seek for this mercy, by a general humiliation, and 
by fervent prayer. She therefore endeavoured to excite the 
pious, of different denominations in Edinburgh, to meet frequently 
together, in their respective places of worship, for these express 
purposes ; that, by prevailing intercession, every impending 
judgment might be averted. In this labour of true Christian 
patriotism, she was successful, and meetings for prayer were 
established in different places throughout the city. She also 
endeavoured to stimulate her correspondents, in distant parts, to 
engage in the same important duty ; and about this time a spirit 
of solemn intercession was diffused throughout the country. To 
the man who discards the Scriptures, and to the mere nominal 
professor, who considers not the blessings annexed to faithful 
prayer, all this may appear as useless and unavailing ; but the 
man who believes his Bible, and lives in the habit of prayer, 
will, at all times, under similar circumstances, place more depend- 
ence on the prayers of the faithful, than in the skill of our com- 
manders — the number and valour of our armies — the vastness of 
our resources — or even in the wooden walls of Great Britain. 
" The battle is not to the strong." " Thus saith the Lord, Let 
not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty 
man glory in his might ; — let not the rich man glory in his riches. 
But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 313 

and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving 
kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth." " Put 
not your trust in princes, for vain is the help of man." After 
these remarks we shall again recur to the diary. 

March 15. I have lately heen favoured with repeated oppor- 
tunities of showing forth the dying love of Jesus. The last of 
them I found a sacred time ; the place, a sacred spot ; the work, 
a sacred employment. Deity felt nigh : yet no remarkable joy 
attended the divine presence. These last two weeks I have been 
looking for, and hastening to a more full enjoyment of perfect 
love. I look to be "filled," (as the Lord hath promised) "with 
the knowledge of his will ; in all wisdom and spiritual under- 
standing ; that I may walk before him unto all pleasing." O how 
ardently do I desire this ! It is only by faith, I know, that I can 
attain ; but here I am often foiled, and day after day passes on 
with very little progress. These last days I have, through assist- 
ance from above, got through some important business. I see 
the hand of the Lord in it, and endeavour to give him the glory : 
but it is better blessings which I covet, and which he hath pro- 
mised. Come, Lord, from above, fill and overflow my soul with 
thy pure love, and remove whatever hinders its full course. 

April 19. Still I have to record the loving kindness of the 
Lord ; yet not in that degree I long for. I would be thine, O 
Lord! I would, thou knowest, be altogether thine. Come, then, 
holy God, and work more powerfully in me, and by me. Give a 
stronger testimony from thy Spirit, tor the work wrought in me. 
My happiest moments are when I believe it, and simply live by 
faith : but from this point, I am drawn many times by the subtle 
devices of the adversary and the multifarious business in which 
I am engaged, yet all with a view to duty. Lord, increase my 
faith. I found, this week, the word preached from, " Walk be- 
fore me, and be thou perfect," blessed to me. But my expe- 
rience is so far short of my desires as proves sometimes matter 
of grief: yet when I consider my unprofitableness and unfaith- 
fulness, I have cause to be thankful for a grain of grace. Yes- 
terday a national fast : I felt something of the spirit of the oc- 
casion. I was truly desirous of mourning for a guilty nation, and 
for myself; and felt humbled on my own account. This day I 
felt disposed to lie low before God, yet to plead for great things, 
because Jesus hath purchased them for ali that believe and obey 
him. I would be all life, light, love, power. O Lord, is any thing 
too hard for thee ! 

May 31. Prince-street. The Lord has in mercy heard my 
requests, for he has turned my captivity, and put a song of 
praise in my mouth. " O to grace how great a debtor." Since 
the 17th instant my God has done much for me. He has pro- 
vided rnv present habitation as a temporary provision till the 
14 



314 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

house I have taken for some years, if spared, be ready for me. 
I literally knew not where to lay my head ; but I looked unto 
the Lord, and he heard and answered. O that I may glorify 
him ! In the many difficulties attending- my double removal, he 
hath supported ; and, since I came here, has outdone my expecta- 
tions, both as to health of body and mind. I am a wonder unto 
myself: but it is the doing of the Lord, and truly marvellous in 
my eyes. He gave me repeated tokens for good before I left 
my last house. According to my desires he sent his minister- 
ing servants repeatedly ; and much prayer was offered up : and 
here, also, I have enjoyed that privilege, time after time. In the 
course of these eight days the Lord has been with us of a truth, 
and made it a refreshing time. Beyond my hopes, he carried 
me from here several miles on Sunday last, to commemorate the 
dying love of Jesus ; and truly he made a memorable time. 
My God shone upon his work in my soul, and greatly brightened 
my evidences for perfect love. Jesus made himself known afresh 
to me in the breaking of bread : and when I tasted the cup, a 
divine sensation seemed to overspread my soul, and even affect 
my body. I seemed surrounded with the heavenly host. Satan 
made a bold push to disturb my heaven of indescribable enjoy- 
ment ; but a stroke of omnipotence drove him far away. "What 
can I render unto the Lord for his goodness ! 

August 23. Still I have to record the loving kindness of the 
Lord, which, though much greater than I deserve, is still far 
short of my desires. On Sunday last, in public, I found my soul 
sensibly strengthened and confirmed in the ways of God ; my 
heart lifted up, and encouraged to press on with respect to 
sanctificatioii, notwithstanding the poorness of my progress and 
attainments. The moment I allow one thought that would en- 
pourage a doubt of the work, I feel like a city without gates ; 
without defence against the adversary ; as a ship without its rud- 
der ; yea, so feeble that the weakest blast would overset me. 
On the contrary, every direct act of faith for the blessing is in- 
stantly followed with strength of soul, serenity of mind, and a 
sweet testimony from on high to the work wrought. Yea, I feel 
as a garrison well fortified ; able, through faith in Jesus, to turn 
the enemy from the gate. But I want a stronger evidence, from 
the fruit of the Spirit, as a corroborating witness. Give it, O 
Lord, for thy name's sake. I feel a deep consciousness of my 
weakness, ignorance, unfaithfulness, unfruitfulness, which is 
semetimes discouraging. 

October 11. (Friday.) Of a truth my God has dealt bounti- 
fully with me since my last. I ventured to ask a token for good 
before I left my temporary habitation in Edinburgh, and he in 
much mercy granted my desire repeatedly. Monday evening, in 
public, God the Father and Son drew sensibly nigh, and favoured 
me with sweet fellowship, and opened my mouth to praise him. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 315 

He not only permitted me to dwell upon the sweet subject of 
his great kindness to me at the time, in my own mind, but con- 
strained me to tell those that love him what he has done for my 
soul. And on Tuesday, O how graciously did my heavenly 
Father deal with me while conversing with a minister of Christ ; 
he opened his liberal hand, and gave largely to both ; it was a 
memorable time. O how good is God to the souls that seek 
him. Yet, in the evening, temptation prevailed, and my soul 
was grieved : but still my God continued his kindness. I felt 
ashamed, and fled afresh to the blood of sprinkling. Wednes- 
day was a day of trial and variegated temptation : I endeavoured 
to flee into my strong hold, that the Lord might lift up a standard. 
In the evening, came to my new habitation, (Rosemount,) which 
I trust the Lord has provided for me. It is most certain he 
would not permit me to go to another I had in view, and wished 
to have. He so evidently showed me that it would be contrary 
to his will, I was obliged to desist. Since the time I fixed on 
this place, (though at first he made every mountain of difficulty 
melt into a mole hill,) it has been a source of trouble and vexa- 
tion, but since I came to it, he has made it a sweet habitation. 
I asked a mark of his favour, and in mercy, the morning after I 
came here, he granted my request repeatedly, both in secret 
prayer and in reading the Scriptures. He has indeed given me 
precious seasons; delightful communion with heaven; ineffable 
sweetness diffused through my soul ; divine peace and comfort, 
in private, family, and secret duties. Surely, " where the Spirit 
of the Lord is, there is liberty." One temptation which I had 
long laboured under, he seems entirely to have removed. O that 
I may be humble, and thankful, and enabled to improve to the 
uttermost the loving kindness of the Lord. O that it may in- 
crease. Still I see the necessity of living by faith ; especially 
for sanctification. 

November 1. Since the 11th of October words would fail to 
tell of the goodness of the Lord, in public and private, at home 
and abroad, in the house, and by the way ; not in exemption from 
temptation ; no, but in support and comfort under it, and in de- 
liverances from it ; in repeated manifestations of his love and 
power ; in sweet fellowship with the Father and the Son. At 
one time, while enduring a flood of temptation, Jehovah drew so 
nigh, appeared so clear to the eye of faith, so penetrated my soul 
with a sense of his presence, as might well excite my wonder, 
love, and praise. He so confounded the powers of darkness, so 
sensibly lifted up a standard, as made all within confess a pre- 
sent God ; and he has thus abode with me ever since, though 
not always with the same degree of love, joy, or freedom from 
temptation, yet so as often made me involuntarily express these 
words, " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." 
In the view of leaving home for a week or two, and travelling 



816 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

for health, I earnestly asked a token for good, and he conde- 
scended to give it, after I had called my family together to re- 
quest his blessing upon those that went, and those that were to 
remain. He preserved man and beast, carried through difficul- 
ties, disappointed fears, gave courage to own him and his cause 
in different parts, and with different denominations : and favoured 
me with numberless opportunities for attempting the spiritual 
and temporal good of my fellow creatures, and gave power to 
embrace them. The issue is left with Him who knows the end 
from the beginning, and who can make the feeblest means effec- 
tual for the greatest ends. And now, in tender mercy, he hath 
brought me home, having infinite cause to say, not only that he 
is the Hearer of prayer, but that " God is love." But I feel 
much cause to regret that I come so far short in all : that I do 
not make greater progress when so highly favoured. O Lord, 
remove the cause, that the effect may cease. My soul longs for 
greater nearness to God : for more power to glorify and enjoy 
him ; for more extensive usefulness ; for more holiness ; a clearer 
witness for the enjoyment of that pure love that casts out fear ; 
and for more power to live by faith. 

Dec. 22. (Friday.) Still my God continues and increases his 
kindness to a creature unworthy of it. On Thursday, the 14th, he 
condescended to give me a sweet manifestation of the holy 
Trinity ; and a very clear perception of the personality of the 
blessed Spirit : more so than for a long time past. This view 
of the whole Godhead was attended with a divine sweetness, and 
has been continued ever since, so that I have felt surrounded with 
Deity : and the testimony of the Spirit for sanctification has at 
times been peculiarly clear ; more especially just after conversing 
with a minister upon the subject, and simply expressing my 
ideas of it, both as a doctrine, and as experienced in a small 
measure in my own soul, through the great goodness of my God, 
and for the sake of his adorable Son. O that I may be made 
faithful, and enabled to press on for every degree of it attainable 
in the body. Last evening the Lord shone peculiarly clear upon 
his work in general, and gave me some comfortable hope that 1 
was not standing still, as I feared. This was after many appli- 
cations to the Hearer of prayer to quicken my pace ; and after 
many times lamenting my shortcomings, and fearing I was 
making no progress. O that I could love and serve, a thousand 
times more, my gracious and compassionate heavenly Father. 
Lord, increase my ability ; increase my faith. I feel a growing 
sense of the littleness of all earthly things, and the solemn 
weight and importance of those belonging to eternity : also, of 
the uncertainty and shortness of time, and the great necessity of 
improving it ; and feel strongly drawn to fill up every precious 
moment with something valuable. I have much cause to praise 
the Lord for many mercies, spiritual and temporal ; and among 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 317 

others for a larger measure of health since I came to Rosemount 
than for a long time before. that I may use it for Him who 
gives it. Truly he is the God that performeth all things for me : 
and my trust is not in an arm of flesh, but in himself, who so 
often disappoints my fears. I look that he will cause me to 
end this year, and begin the new one, with much of the divine 
presence. 

TO MRS. JOHNSON. 

January 10, 1793. 
I take the opportunity of a frank to send a few lines to my 
friend, whose last was most acceptable. I trust our gracious 
God still continues his kind and most seasonable support in the 
midst of various distressing circumstances ; and thereby enables 
you not only to stand in the evil day, but to glory in your infirmi- 
ties, that the power of the adorable Saviour may rest upon you ; 
that his love may fill and overflow your soul. 

" O love, how cheering is thy ray ! 
• All pain before thy presence flies." 

I am pleased with your accounts of Mrs. G. ; I hope my let- 
ter to her, enclosed in my last to you, came safe to hand. I 
feel much liberty in pleading that you, and those who join with 
you, may be enable to wrestle in mighty prayer ; and seem to 
anticipate your victory. I rejoice that you are returned to your 
place again ; this will strengthen the hands of many, and confirm 
their feeble knees, who might otherwise have been turned out 
of the way. And O how pleasing to God to seo his dear chil- 
dren steadfast and immovable in trying times ; especially those 
who have been long in the way, and who have borne the heat 
and burthen of the day. To prevent this, Satan has had recourse 
to these painful temptations you mention ; hoping thereby to fix 
all your attention upon your own soul, and so lessen your sphere 
of usefulness. But blessed be our compassionate High Priest, 
who hath counteracted all his malicious designs against you, and 
put a song of praise in your mouth. 

I have much cause to praise a God of love for his kindness to 
me since I wrote last. Sweet and repeated have been the pre- 
cious manifestations of his love ; of Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost : sometimes together, and at others distinct communica- 
tions of grace, from each sacred person. Since last week, in the 
class meeting, I seem to have anchored more sensibly within the 
veil. The eye of my soul has been invariably fixed upon Jeho- 
vah, and his eye most sensibly fixed on me. I surely have this 
evidence of purity : " I do see God." Yet I have not, I think, 
such a strong testimony of the Spirit as I sometimes have had, 
when my views of God were not so clear. At times, I have 
very humbling views of self, and should sink very low, but for 
that faith that realizes unseen things, and shows me where I 



318 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

stand. Perhaps these exercises of mind, that so empty one of 
self in every shape, are preparatory to greater and deeper en- 
trances into the depths of Deity. 

" / do dwell alone." These words, one day lately, came very 
seasonably to my mind, as being the case with God's Israel of 
old, when tried with various temptations, and, among others, that 
of standing alone. I seem to have none with me. I have indeed 
a lonely path ; but, blessed be my heavenly Father, I have the 
sacred Three with me. My heart expands with desire for more 
of God, and for greater usefulness to his people. I would more 
than ever fill up every moment with, and for God. Assist me, 
my friend : let us pray always and never faint. The state of 
public affairs tries me much. I fly unto my God, and cry that he 
would yet continue our glorious privileges. But I must finish. 
May he continually surround you, and keep you as in the hollow 
of his hands, prays 

Your friend in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 

TO MRS. JOHNSON. * 

March 22, 1793. 
Dear Mrs. Johnson's letter, written in the spirit, was, I hope, 
perused in it. I feel both my need and the value of a spiritual 
friend. Your determination I wish ever to abide by : " To have 
no fellowship with any, but in the Spirit." may that Holy 
Spirit knit our thankful hearts more closely to our living Head, 
the sacred source of calm repose. All the dealings of the Lord 
with me, for the last twelve months past, have been very self- 
humbling. Many, very many stripping seasons I have had, 
which seem to discover, more and more, the depth of the fall. I 
have indeed nothing whereof to boast, nothing but what I have 
received. I am made truly conscious of my poverty and help- 
lessness ; this keeps me, perhaps, more sensible of my depend- 
ence than I should otherwise be, and creates and keeps up such 
a hungering and thirsting after larger measures of the divine life, 
after God and the possession of all his communicable fulness, as 
I cannot express. It mightily endears a Saviour to me : his 
suitability I so deeply feel, that my whole soul rests on him. 
Added to this, is the appointment, or at least permission, by Him 
who cannot err, of every possible modification of temptation; 
with a view, I doubt not, to promote the great and salutary pur- 
pose of drawing me more and more out of self, and sinking me 
deeper and deeper into Deity, till lost in the boundless ocean of 
love. But my receipts are so far short of my vast desires, that 
perhaps I am not always so thankful, or so sensible, as I ought to 
be, of what I have already received. My God is still most sensi- 
bly enforcing the necessity of living by simple faith ; and indeed 
it is never better with me than when I do ; every act brings in 
an increase. But the combined powers of darkness uniformly 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 319 

oppose this mode of living. I trust my gracious God will give 
me a fuller deliverance. Assist me with your prayers till I ob- 
tain. I have at times such glorious views of sinking into Jeho- 
vah, and of what he is able to do for me, as I cannot explain ; of 
such holy nearness to and fellowship with Jesus as is pleasing 
to experience : more especially when considered as foretastes 
of what shall be shortly my permanent experience. The Scrip- 
tures do so help, so strengthen and comfort, in all my various 
situations of soul, as is matter of great thankfulness. Forgive 
this minute detail. 

I bless the Lord, who deals not only tenderly, but bountifully 
with you ; and will, no doubt, in every case show you the most 
excellent way. He calls at present for a costly sacrifice, which 
you will doubtless offer freely upon that altar which sanctifies 
the gift. 

I am pleased to hear that Mrs. G. still stands, and I hope you 
will remember me to her. Tell her, from me, that she is called, 
in a peculiar manner, in these very trying times, to stand firm, 
as a wall of brass, and as an iron pillar strong, in every difficulty. 
And thus, having endured temptation, she shall inherit the bless- 
ings annexed to the promises. I hope you will have wisdom 
given you from above ; more and more be enabled to glorify your 
God, though in the fires ; and increase daily in usefulness to his 
church and people. 

I see that your present situation is both critical and difficult, 
and I endeavour to hold it up to your God daily, who has fitted 
you for it ; and who will make you more than conqueror, through 
the blood of the Lamb. Go, then, thou servant of God, in his 
strength, and thy God will be with thee ; and level every moun- 
tain, and raise every valley. He has given a large sphere of use- 
fulness at this time, but Satan will dispute every inch of ground: 
yet fear not ; he shall fall like Dagon before the ark ; only be 
thou very courageous for the Lord thy God. Forgive the liberty 
of thus writing, but I feel pressed in spirit to do it. Remem 
ber the weakness of the writer, and believe me, 

Your friend in the best bonds, D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXIX— 1794. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 

January 3. The year 1793 is fled — it is numbered, and 
returned to Him who gave it. Tell me, O my soul, what report 
has it carried with it as to thee 1 Could it say that it was thy 
constant desire and attempt to improve it for eternity ? for the 
glory of God, the good of thy fellow creatures, and thy own best 
interest 1 What shall I say 1 O my God, if my heart do not 



320 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

deceive me, in a very low degree this has been the case. In all 
I have failed, but still at all this I have aimed. Upon a retro- 
spect, I find much cause to thank my God for mercies more in 
number than the hairs of my head, spiritual and temporal;- for 
precious manifestations of divine love and power ; for various 
discoveries of the will of God ; various teachings of the Holy 
Spirit, more especially respecting faith as to sanctification ; and 
for much countenance in my attempt to live by faith ; for many 
remarkable and speedy returns to prayer for myself and others ; 
for many interpositions in my behalf in troublesome cases and 
perplexing business ; for clear discoveries of the sacred Trinity — 
of the personality of the Holy Ghost ; for much sweet fellowship 
with the Father and the Son ; for some little success in my 
feeble attempts to promote the spiritual good of others, espe- 
cially Christians ; for power to make many exertions, above my 
own strength, both in speaking, acting, and writing ; for assist- 
ance in pecuniary matters, whereby I could more largely help 
others, &c, &c. When all these mercies, O my God, my 
wondering soul surveys, what humble, grateful love should fill 
my heart ! 

March 7. Of a truth my God has been good to me since the 
28th of February. On Sunday, I partook of the supper of the 
Lord, and, upon the whole, the Lord was good to me ; though 
not so much in the way of joy. On Monday evening, in public, 
the Lord Jesus surprised me with a glorious visit. With the 
Father, also, I had fellowship ; but the precious manifestation 
was in a more peculiar manner with the Son. For a long time 
past, my intercourse has been more sensibly with Jehovah him- 
self, yet through the medium of the Son : there is no other way 
of access to the Father. O how altogether lovely did Jesus 
appear ! How inexpressibly sweet his love ! Words fail to ex- 
press either ; but his presence, I may say, constitutes my heaven. 
In private, the same night, this goodness was repeated : and 
through the week my God seemed to bring and keep me near to 
himself; underneath and around were spread the everlasting arms. 
But I feel surprised and grieved that I am not more remarkably 
changed into the divine image by those frequent and delightful 
manifestations of his love. O my God, roll away my reproach 
in this respect ! and enable me, to the utmost, to take the mould 
divine — for the glory of thy name, the profit of my fellow crea- 
tures, and the comfort of my own soul. O let every interme- 
diate space be filled up with an increase of every grace of the 
Holy Spirit ! Fears, as to public affairs, have increased, and yet 
liberty to plead with God concerning them continues. Lord God 
Omnipotent, arise and work for our safety ; and O take not the 
gospel from us ; permit us not to fall into cruel hands ! Send a 
spirit of reformation and conversion plentifully down upon us, 
and stir up thy children to prayer. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 321 

April 11. The goodness of my God continues, with the addi- 
tion of a keener edge on my spirit, to increase with all the 
increase of the Lord. On last Sabbath, a song of praise was put 
in my mouth. I felt rejoicing in my God in social prayer and 
Christian conference. On Monday Jehovah felt very nigh all 
day ; yet I was exercised with painful temptations all the while. 
On Wednesday evening, it was a sweet time in public ; and on 
Thursday, at home, my God disappointed my fears, and opened 
my mouth to tell of his goodness to those that fear him. O how 
gracious is he to an unworthy creature ! In the course of these 
last eight days, he has given me many opportunities of acting 
for him, which is the delight of my soul. O that he may bless 
my feeble efforts for his dear Son's sake. Many of my requests, 
of late, he has answered, and gives me liberty to plead for all I 
want. He has repeatedly refreshed my soul, and strengthened 
my hands, by hearing of the success of the gospel in various 
parts, and among various denominations, abroad and at home. 
O that a little one may become a thousand. These accounts, in 
our present awful situation, are peculiarly gratifying. I have 
also been refreshed by hearing of the steadfastness and prospe- 
rity of individuals whose spiritual welfare I have at heart, espe- 
cially ministers. My God still continues to teach me the useful 
lesson of living by faith, particularly as to sanctification ; but it 
is a difficult lesson. In all I come short. Help me, holy Father, 
to press on with renewed vigour ; increase my faith ; fill, yea, fill 
with faith and with the Holy Ghost. 

May 23. Yet again I am permitted to render thanks to my 
God for his goodness, in allowing me to enter his gates fre- 
quently, and also to prove it good to be there : in comforting me 
in private by his word and his Spirit ; disappointing my fears 
repeatedly, and strengthening me for what he called for from 
me. He still teaches me the necessity of living by faith, and 
gives me to feel, in a measure, the happy effects of it, by its 
sweetly solemnizing my mind ; it brings power into my soul, 
with comfort and sensible evidence of his work in me, more 
especially as it respects holiness. O who can tell the value of 
faith ! — Lord, increase it and a power to live by it. I find I 
need more patience with myself. I am ashamed and grieved 
that I make so little, if any progress. These last eight days my 
mind has been pained on this account. I come so very far short 
of what I would be, and may be. Lord, remove the cause, and 
let the effects cease. O refresh my soul with a ceaseless showei 
of thy grace ! I pant to live more to thee ; to feel a more entire 
union with Deity ; to have stronger and more constant testimony 
of thy Spirit, both from the witness and fruit of what thou hast 
done for me and in me. I want every moment to be found in 
the work of faith, the labour of love, and the patience of hope ; 
14* 



322 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

and to experience a greater equality of spirit, temper, and 
affection. 

June 13. Again I am called to make known the loving kind- 
ness of the Lord to his dust and ashes, and likewise to testify of 
my own shortcomings in all things. In general, since the 6th, 
I have been favoured with much sweet fellowship with God the 
Father. This I have proved a source of delightful enjoyment, 
in the midst of various things that had a tendency to unhinge. I 
have had some stripping seasons. Felt poverty of spirit, and 
also proved the good effects of it, and of endeavouring to live by 
simple faith on these trying occasions. How pleasing to the 
Lord, and how much countenanced by him ! On Monday last, 
especially in the evening, I felt much weighed down from a 
sense of unfruitfulness and unfaithfulness, though surrounded 
with many privileges that should produce every degree of spi- 
ritual prosperity. While I mused and mourned, God the Father 
and Son drew remarkably near, gave a glorious view and like- 
wise a taste of that nearness to, and full union with, Deity, that 
is my privilege and his will concerning me : that state of soul 
where 

"Not a cloud doth arise to darken the skies, 
Or hide for a moment the Lord from my eyes." 

In short, it felt the most simple and also the most pure state of 
enjoyment that language can describe. to feel it every mo- 
ment ! 

July 4. Since the 27th of June, I have enjoyed much near- 
ness to the Father and sweet believing views of his work in my 
soul. I have also had severe and furious attacks from the 
powers of darknesss ; much weakness of body, with various try- 
ing exercises of mind ; yet can truly say in straits my God has 
been a present aid ; disappointing my fears, and sometimes 
exceeding my expectations ; perfecting his strength in my weak- 
ness, according to his promise ; enabling me to strengthen the 
brethren, and to enjoy the privilege of the communion of saints ; 
preserving in seasons of danger, and giving opportunities for 
serving the interests of my fellow creatures, both spiritual and 
temporal. But I have much cause to grieve for not profiting 
more ; for not making greater progress in the good way ; for not 
bringing more glory to God ; more profit and comfort to others. 
Truly I feel I am an unprofitable servant. The Lord is God, not 
man ; therefore he bears with me. O, my God, must I always 
make my moan ! O hasten the time when thou shalt greatly 
enlarge my capacity to love, serve, and glorify thee. 

August 7. Since the 25th of July, it has been a time of close 
trial, both in body and mind. The fiery darts of the adversary- 
have been very keenly pointed. Weakness of nerves and spirits 
has added to my painful feelings, and by all these things my 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 323 

joyous sensations have been very sensibly decreased. Faith in 
Jesus has been my only resource, with sweet views of God the 
Father, at times ; who has set before me the many deliverances 
he has wrought for me in times past : and He who hath been 
with me in six troubles will not forsake me in the seventh. Yet 
still I am distressed. I feel my spiritual poverty. Lord, under- 
take for me ; and yet let me see thy loving kindness in the land 
of the living. Fill with that faith which 

" pain and death defies, 

Most vig'rous when the body dies." 

Hezekiah's message from the prophet who, by divine command, 
desired him to set his house in order, for he must die, is often 
impressed on my mind. O that I may live to God while I live, 
and die to God when I die. 

October 24. Yesterday I returned from a journey south for 
health. I have cause to praise the Lord, my healer, who gave 
much freedom from bodily complaints while from home ; preser- 
vation of man and beast ; deliverance in danger ; often disap- 
pointed my fears ; gave sweet visits from on high ; communion 
of saints ; hearing the gospel preached ; many opportunities for 
the spiritual and temporal good of my fellow creatures ; supplied 
my temporal wants, and brought me home in peace. He pre- 
served all I left behind, and disappointed the evil designs of others 
against me in my absence. If they really meant evil, they were 
returning evil for good : in either case I would wish them well. 
The few trials I met with on the road, I was supported under; 
and soon, by prayer, delivered from. Since my return, the enemy 
has attempted in various ways to disturb my peace ; but mine 
eyes are upon the Lord, and my daily cry is for more faith ; and 
power, every moment, to conquer through it ; with more of the 
fruit of the Spirit and a clear testimony, by the witness of it, for 
sanctification. I find it difficult to live every moment by faith ; 
yet, without this, I cannot continually realize the presence of God, 
and be all attention constantly to an indwelling Deity. I have 
been long learning this important lesson : but O how little my 
progress, and how condescending my God, who still continues 
to teach me, and to bear with me ! His goodness is inexpres- 
sible. The keen force of Satanic temptation, of late, has borne 
hard upon me. O to be filled with that pure, perfect love that 
casteth out all fear ! 

November 28. Since last date, my God has dealt so bounti- 
fully with me, and I feel so much of my own unworthiness and 
unfaithfulness, that I am not only lost in wonder, love, and 
praise, but also in confusion. I loathe myself when thus my God 
I see. He has condescended to allow me much sweet communion 
with himself and with his dear Son ; more especially since last 
Sabbath morning. I desired to meet my God, and truly I was 



324 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

not disappointed. Jehovah drew so remarkably nigh, as to arrest, 
as it were, not only the powers of my mind, but also of my body. 
The former was fixed in deep attention, with a penetrating 
consciousness of the divine presence : the latter felt as almost 
immovable, while an indescribable solemnity and sweet serenity 
overspread my mind. The Lord shone upon his word and my 
soul. In his light I saw light. I found Jehovah is the pillar 
upon which my soul rests : his name, the strong tower into 
which I run, and find safety and comfort. O that his goodness 
may be improved to the utmost, and returned in living, holy obe- 
dience. Since that time I have had lasting communion with 
him, though far short of what I want. The day following, he 
made my cup to run over, partly from a prospect of increasing 
usefulness, and partly by the countenance he gave upon its open- 
ing, by inclining others to unite in the attempt. O that the 
event may show it is of God. 

December 12. Still, through mercy, I can record the good-, 
ness of my God. On Sunday last, in public, from a sermon on, 
" This is the will of God, even your sanctification^ I enjoyed 
a precious time. The Lord shone on his work in my soul, and, 
by the aid of the Holy Spirit, I could clearly trace the effects 
of sanctification, both on the superior faculties of the soul, the 
understanding, the will, conscience, and memory ; and also on 
the inferior faculties, the passions : including love, hatred, grief, 
joy, fear, desire, &c, &c. ; likewise the appetites. I never re- 
member to have had more evidence from the fruit of the Spirit 
than on this memorable occasion : so true is it, that we can only 
see light in God's light, or know the things freelv given us of 
God. 

TO MRS. JOHNSON*. 

February 5, 1794. 
Having the favour of a frank for Mrs. C, I gladly embrace 
the opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of dear Mrs. John- 
son's valuable letter, dated December 12, 1793. The consents 
of your letters are peculiarly suited to my spiritual appetite. I 
bless our gracious God, who deals so tenderly, so bountifully 
with you. I think you may say, though poor and feeble yourself, 

" My Lord is all the world to me, 
And all my soul is love." 

O let us praise him for his unspeakable kindness. 

Since my last, he has given me sweet communion with him- 
self and his dear Son, through the Spirit, and increases it, draw- 
ing me nearer to Deity. The enemy has withstood me greatly ; 
but my God lifts up a standard, and is near to me. I hope, in a 
small measure, I may say with De Renty, " I carry about with 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 325 

me an experimental verity and," sometimes, " a plenitude of the 
presence of the sacred Trinity." I do not know whether in my 
last I mentioned that my God, some time ago, condescended to 
give me a glorious view of the holy Three, which has continued 
ever since. O that while permitted to gaze at this grand object, 
I may be a thousand times more than ever changed into the 
divine image. This is my ardent desire, that every manifestation 
may prove of an assimilating nature ; that, as far as humanity will 
admit, I may be all light, all life, all love, all deep humility. O 
what a soul-transporting thought, in the midst of present weakness, 
ignorance, and many humiliating circumstances, that yet a little 
while and we shall drop this vile body, and be all like God ; and 
dwell for ever with him, and with our adorable Jesus ; and bask 
in the bright beams of redeeming love. When millions of mil- 
lions of years shall be past and gone, still one vast eternity 
will be before us. Amazing, that dust and ashes should be 
thus honoured; it is mystery all! It is mercy boundless! 
Well, let the thoughts of such astonishing bliss support and even 
raise us above every present pressure. 

In the midst of all this great kindness, my God hath given me 
lately a constant sense of my shortcomings, of my spiritual 
poverty : this deeply pervades my whole soul; it is past expres- 
sion. My only relief is in flying by faith to Jesus ; there I bathe 
me in his bleeding side, and clothe me with his righteous robe, 
to cover my naked soul; and endeavour to believe till faith brings 
in more love, &c. ; till his Spirit sets his seal to the work 
wrought in me, notwithstanding my conscious emptiness ; and 
thus I am strengthened by getting out of self. 

My heart is so enlarged to the poor, especially the Lord's 
poor, that I am in danger of making myself poor. I find the 
more I am found in this labour of love, the more the Lord finds 
out ways and opportunities for it ; and sometimes causes others, 
even the most unlikely, to assist me. O it is a sweet work, to 
be eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, &c. I should rather say, 
O it is sweet to act for my God ; to give to the Lord, through 
the medium of his own poor precious people. 

My mind is much tried as to public affairs. A wonderful 
spirit of prayer seems poured upon me, that our country, our 
gospel, &c, &c, may be preserved. I enjoy liberty in pleading 
that we may not be given up into the hands of our enemies ; but 
have no promise as yet. I tremble for the ark. How do you 
feel with regard to these matters 1 Has Mr. H. arrived 1 The 
young man at Hope Chapel is doing well ; things look better. 

I have ventured to write freely to some of the preachers re- 
specting the present appearances among them ; which they for- 
give, and tell me that the Lord is still doing great things in dif- 
ferent places. Write me soon, and refresh my heart, and 
strengthen my hands ; by prayer in secret, and in your bands and 



326 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

classes. O faithful prayer, what may not be done by it. An 
increase of every spiritual blessing be your portion, prays 
Your friend in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 



TO MRS. JOHNSON. 

Rosemount, June 17, 1794. 

Dear Mrs. Johnson is upon my mind daily at a throne of grace, 
but still an embargo has been laid upon my pen. What a 
mercy is the mutual benefit, by the exchange of a letter now and 
then, when our almighty Friend graciously permits. O, who is 
a God like unto our God 1 Since I wrote last, I have experi- 
enced much of the divine goodness — much indescribably sweet 
nearness to and sinking into Jehovah : holy fellowship with the 
Father and the Son, which sinks self into nothing. My God is 
ever with me : O how condescending ; I can neither express nor 
explain it, but it is well known to my friend. With all this, I 
am kept little and poor in my own eyes ; experience many strip- 
ping seasons and spring tides of painful temptations from the 
powers of darkness. I believe these enlarge my receptive pow- 
ers ; for frequently, soon after, there is such an influx of Deity, 
such glorious displays of future glory, as fill with wonder, and 
love, and silent adoration. I find the truth of these words, 
" Israel shall dwell alone." I meet with few that understand 
my language ; and if they did, I often find that words cannot con- 
vey an adequate idea of the work and ways of the Lord, in these 
inner and higher walks of the Christian life. And yet I seem 
so far short of what the Lord often shows me is my privilege, in 
point of enjoyment and conformity to the divine image, that I feel 
ashamed ; and grieve because my progress is so small. Help 
me to get forward. I sometimes think that the abstract of my 
life is a continual passing through the veil of outward things, and 
gasping to live more fully in God. I am kept in perpetual pur- 
suit of higher attainments, that I may be capacitated to bring 
more glory to God, as well as to enjoy him more. How clearly 
is the grand prize set before me ! Almost every morning my 
soul is fired and filled with a holy ambition, for the full posses- 
sion of every purchased and promised blessing ; but still I do 
not attain : restless, resigned, I wait for it. I long now to find 
words sufficiently plain to convince you how poor, how un- 
worthy, how unfruitful I am. The Lord knows it, and I feel it; 
yet cannot properly describe it ; but beg you will do me the jus- 
tice to believe it. 

I still feel much on account of public affairs ; what adds to 
my suffering is, the most piercing convictions of the astonishing 
long suffering, patience, and goodness of the Lord. This pene- 
trates my inmost soul, makes me blush and be ashamed to en- 
treat for our guilty land. I so feel the weight of the iniquity of 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 327 

us all : and have such views of his consummate wisdom, and 
boundless love, that I am silent before him ; and sink into his 
will. Yet, again, when I take a view of the distress of my fel- 
low countrymen ; what we are exposed to, what variegated 
misery, &c, I again open my mouth, and plead much.* Prayer 
is poured forth in public, and private, and secret ; great the ex- 
ertions for the spread of the gospel at home and abroad ; and the 
Lord is greatly reviving his work in some parts of England. 
These things lead me to think he will not make an utter end of 
us ; but chastise us in a measure. 

I was led very remarkably to the appointing an hour of prayer, 
every morning, from seven to eight, to entreat the Lord for 
mercy, in the present painful crisis of church and state ; I pro- 
posed it also to many, both clergy and private Christians, high 
and low ; and they have most cordially engaged with me, to meet 
at a throne of grace in our several apartments. The Lord has 
given much liberty hitherto to several. Will Mrs. Johnson give 
us the aid of her prayers, and mention it to some of her precious 
fellow pilgrims J 

How does the Lord's work prosper in your hands 1 Is peace 
yet restored to contending parties ! We have sweet times here 
in the select band, and in the class which meets in my house. 
O how fully does Jehovah reveal himself in the latter ! 

If I can procure time, I will enclose a few lines to Miss R. : 
if not, tell her I will write her the first opportunity. This long 
epistle requires an apology. I forgot to say that my daily peti- 
tions ascend that all your corporeal powers and mental faculties 
may be continued in vigour, till you are called hence. Believe 
me, with Christian regard, 

Your fellow pilgrim, &c, D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXX.— 1795. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 
Jan. 2. On a retrospect of the last year, I find much cause 
to say God has dealt well and kindly with me. My receipts of 
rnercy have been many ; for soul, body, and outward estate. At 
times, the intermediate space has been checkered with various 
trials : yet still I have been supported under them, and often 
delivered from them. My heart has been enlarged toward the 
poor in general, and to the household of faith more particularly ; 
and my powers of. supply have been increased. In the course of 
the year I have been much tried with one particularly painful 
exercise, which has seemed rather to weaken than strengthen my 
hands ; but has been permitted for good reasons. The Lord has 
* The habeas corpus act was suspended at this time in England. 



328 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

more sensibly than usual owned my attempts for his glory and 
the good of my fellow creatures. Agreeably to my request, he 
gave me a token for good on the last day of the year ; but the 
first day was ushered in with more unexpected trials. May all 
be blessed ! I am again called to rejoice on account of the great 
success of the gospel, more especially in Ireland. Lord, con- 
tinue and increase it, and in many places ! 

March 13. (Friday.) Still I have to acknowledge the receipt 
of mercies, spiritual and temporal. On Sabbath last, I found it 
good to wait on God in public. From the text, Revelation iii, 2, 3, 
I was led to examine if I had lost ground : if I had fallen from 
my first love. In the presence of the Searcher of hearts, I 
found liberty to conclude I had not ; on the contrary, my love 
was more matured ; my knowledge of God, and of the things of 
God, sensibly increased ; my nearness to Deity greater ; the 
manifestations of his love and power more frequent ; and my 
power to confess and act for him, his cause, and people, sensibly 
increased. But still I felt cause to lament that I had not been 
more faithful, more fruitful, and also to admire the long suffering 
patience of my God toward me. Found Christian fellowship on 
last Sabbath strengthening, and still more so on Tuesday evening ; 
and, on Thursday morning, the communion of saints was, of a 
truth, most refreshing. Jehovah appeared clear to the eye of 
faith, and his presence was most sensibly experienced by those 
present. I felt increasing power to mention his great and con- 
descending kindness to me, to those that feared his name. I 
bless him, he is daily teaching me lessons of faith and love, and 
helping me to improve them to the utmost. He gives me many 
sweet proofs that he is the Hearer of prayer, and in many in- 
stances disappoints my fears, and gives many opportunities of 
acting for him, both by more immediately promoting his cause 
and more remotely assisting his people. 

April 3. (Friday.) Through the tender mercy of my God I 
have continued to enjoy a measure of the blessing bestowed on 
Monday week. On Sunday last, in the morning, in public, the 
Lord comforted me by his smiles and presence during a lecture 
from the 29th, 30th, and 31st verses of the 11th chapter of He- 
brews, especially the 31st. He also gave me comfortable seasons 
in secret prayer. Having several difficult services and duties to 
perform in the course of the past eight days, I was enabled to 
trust in the Lord, and he helped me, and brought me through 
them all : though not so as to please myself, yet so as to gain the 
acceptance of those for whom they were designed. I may say, 
in some sense, with the psalmist, through my God I leap over 
walls, and overcome troops. He gives me to see and feel how 
feeble and weak I am ; how inadequate to any exertion ; and 
yet, he brings me through many difficulties : and, had I stronger 
faith, I should see greater things than these. Lord, increase my 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 329 

faith ! This last week he has given me a most unexpected op- 
portunity of serving his cause : O that he may sensibly counte- 
nance the attempt ! Have been more tempted for some days 
past than usual, from a quarter that pains me. I see the cloven 
foot : give, Lord, the victory, and thine shall be the glory ! I 
am too outward. I have need to pray to be more constantly and 
religiously recollected ; more attentive to an indwelling God ; 
every moment realizing his presence. O my God, do these 
things for me, that I may glorify thee more ; may profit others, 
and enjoy more constant communion with Deity in my own soul. 
Still prospects are gloomy respecting public affairs, but since 
last date I have had the comfort of a spirit of prayer. Meetings 
for prayer are prevailing in many parts of America, among 
various denominations, who are all heartily uniting in suppli- 
cating a throne of grace for mercy in these troublesome and 
perilous times ; also in Edinburgh, Glasgow, &c , &c. The 
Lord hear and answer in mercy ! 

June 26. He that is rich in mercy hath dealt with a bounti- 
ful hand toward me since last date. On Saturday last, in the 
morning, while by the way, my Jesus felt delightfully nigh ; my 
views of him, and my relation to him, clear. In the evening 
when in social prayer Jehovah seemed to fill the place with his 
presence. In a moment I felt wrapped up in Deity ! all around 
was God ! and all within confessed his nearness ! I enjoyed much 
sweet liberty in pleading with him. On Sabbath, enjoyed the 
privilege of his house, and afterward the communion of saints. 
On Monday, when with others, in an unexpected moment, again 
Jehovah broke in upon my soul, and I felt swallowed up in a 
penetrating sense of the divine presence ; lost in wonder. O that 
these frequent manifestations may answer great purposes ! My 
soul breathes for this, and for their continuance ! at least, for a 
permanent power to endure, every moment, as seeing the Invi- 
sible : for uninterrupted fellowship with the sacred Three, so far 
as fallen nature will permit. On Thursday, was favoured with 
greater privileges than were expected, which also required greater 
exertion than usual ; but my God carried me through, though 
not with so much comfort as on some similar occasions. But if 
he is glorified, and his creatures profited, I am satisfied. Upon 
the whole I hope I get nearer to God : but have much to bear 
from myself. My soul thirsts for a more enlarged sphere of 
usefulness, and greater faithfulness in that I move in at present. 
I want stronger evidences of sanctification both from the fruit 
and witness of the Spirit: and more equality of spirit, temper, 
and affection. 

28. Friday and Saturday last were days of unusual lan- 
guor. I felt unable for any vigorous exertion, either of faith or 
works ; and was pained thereby and humbled. In these trying 
seasons I avoid all examination and reasoning:. The latter I 






330 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

have been much freed from, since I tasted the pure love of God. 
I prove the frequent actings of simple faith the most profitable 
exercise of mind at these times. On Sunday a happy change 
took place. I was in a very peculiar degree in the spirit on the 
Lord's day, and tasted largely of the good word of God, and felt 
in the most lively manner the powers of the world to come, from 
the time I entered the house of God. The words of the second 
hymn led me involuntarily to self-examination, when the Lord 
seemed to bring to my remembrance the whole of his dealings 
with me in the work of conversion. He showed me that I had 
not rested in the drawings of the Father, but followed with a 
heart sincere while under them ; clearly pointed out the time, 
and place, when he first gave me a sense of his forgiving love ; 
and afterward made me a happy partaker of his pure love. Not 
that these memorable seasons had ever been forgotten by me ; 
no, while memory lasts they will ever be deeply engraven on it ; 
but I found this a corroborating evidence of the truth of the 
Lord's work in my soul ; more especially from the beginning of 
an exposition on 3d, 4th, 5th, and 6th verses of the 24th Psalm. 
Jehovah seemed to fill the place with such a solemn sense of 
his presence as penetrated my inmost soul ; and arrested not 
only the powers of the mind, but of the body : all was still, and 
all confessed, God is here. No actings of faith seemed neces- 
sary on my part. For the time faith seemed lost in enjoyment : 
not in ecstatic joy ; but solemn awe and silent love ; both which, 
in a peculiar manner, mark all my interviews with Jehovah. To- 
ward the close, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, made 
me equally sensible of their presence : the undivided Trinity 
seemed to overshadow me ; and I had a clearer view of the per- 
sonality of the Holy Ghost than for some time past. Except 
on these remarkable occasions when he is thus set before me, I 
am generally led to view him as the divine Agent in man's sal- 
vation ; who, from time to time, takes of the things of Christ, 
and shows them unto his people as his peculiar office. This 
most remarkable manifestation continued all the day, and through 
mercy to the present moment : only with this difference, that 
my fellowship is still more with the Father himself. My great 
desire is to prove the transforming influence of these gracious 
visits ; and I am aware, also, how requisite, how necessary it is 
to double my guard by watching and prayer ; lest the arch ad- 
versary gain any advantage over me, and I should grieve the 
Holy Ghost. Lord, assist me, and make me grateful. 

July 10. Still my God continues to do me good, and visits, 
I trust, for that purpose, alternately with joys and sorrows : the 
former comforts and supports ; the latter empties of self, as it 
respects confidence and complacency ; and thereby fits the soul 
for greater discoveries of the love of God, through the gospel 
channel, without the danger of spiritual pride ; and leads by a 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 331 

blessing to the transforming influence of these merciful visita- 
tions. Yet, exclusive of powerful renewals of them, how soon 
does a lively sense of the most lively manifestations of divine love 
die away : how much am I then indebted to a gracious God for 
so frequently repeating them. Lord, what can I render to thee ! 

enable me to surrender myself more unreservedly to thy honour, 
and glory, and cause ; and enlarge my temporal borders for this 
purpose. On Sunday last, my God exerted his power in my be- 
half, out of weakness made me strong, and carried me a consi- 
derable way from here to commemorate the dying love of Jesus ; 
where and when as much of the divine goodness was allowed me 
as the body would permit. Soon after was visited with bodily 
affliction, which threatened to be severe ; but the progress of 
the disease was soon checked by Him who hath all things in 
the natural, moral, and religious world under his control. Though 
my pain was great, and my mind much flattened by it, yet I did 
not lose a sense of what the Lord had bestowed on me on his 
own day, neither have I to the present moment. My heart's 
desire is, the sanctified use of every dispensation ; with a will 
still more swallowed up in the divine will. I have to record, to 
the glory of my God, and his condescending goodness, that he 
has done away the unexpected trials mentioned formerly, and 
given me my desire respecting the subjects of them. Truly, 
" it is better to trust in the Lord than in princes/' O my God, 
continue and increase thy goodness ; quicken my powers ; give 
still stronger evidence of thy purifying love ; more power to live 
by faith : and cordially to embrace all thy will. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

July 11, 1795. 

Your letters, Rev. sir, are always welcome, but your last I 

received with peculiar satisfaction ; fearing, though conscious of 

the purity of my intention, that my last had either offended or 

grieved. I sincerely thank you for taking in a Christian spirit what 

1 took the liberty of suggesting. My conscience bears me witness, 
I have no desire in this painful business, but that light may be given 
to discover the will of God ; and power and inclination to walk 
in it. The work is his ; and I believe the workers are all his 
also, and all aim at the same mark; the glory of their divine 
Master, and the good of precious souls : though their views, as 
to the best method of securing these great ends, are different. 
I used to be partial to the old plan, of communicating in the 
church ; and thought that being no distinct body, but ready to 
assist all parties, was the way the Lord owned, and the most 
likely for extensive usefulness. I believe this was Mr. Wes- 
ley's judgment also ; and that he ever in any measure departed 
from it, was, I believe, in consequence of his original design, of 



332 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

following the openings of providence. And, could this be 
always clearly known, and embraced in a spirit of love, all would 
be well. Love will prove a strong cement to unite the whole 
body ; and if, in particular places, circumstances make it expe- 
dient to differ from the general plan with respect to giving the 
sacrament, &c, still there will be no breach; all may love alike, 
though they do not act in every tittle alike. But I forbear, and 
would conclude by saying, through mercy I enjoy sweet inward 
liberty, having no party feelings, but earnestly desiring the will 
of God, the union of preachers, and great success in the work 
assigned to each, I would trust, by their great Master. 

I pray that you may meet in a spirit of love, continue in it, 
during the discussion of many important points ; and depart in 
it, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. 

It was with peculiar satisfaction I received your accounts of 
the prosperity of the work. May it increase with all the increase 
of God ; and a larger share of it be your portion, as a proof to 
all that the Lord is with you. I shall be anxious, if you can 
spare a minute, to inform me how matters have gone. I trust 
the sound of division or discord shall not wound my ear. 

I must add (as I always write freely to you) my obligations to 
redeeming love increase : my fellowship with the Father, of late, 
is particularly deep and sweet: and from time to time I am 
favoured with remarkable manifestations of divine love. Do let me 
know how to improve them to the utmost ; how to grow up into 
Christ my living Head more rapidly. The more I live by simple 
faith, the clearer is the witness for purity of heart. At present, 
I feel becalmed in the ocean of redeeming love. Lately, I have 
been much tried, tempted, and variously exercised. But even 
then, O how graciously nigh was my God ; making even my 
enemies at peace with me. His goodness beggars all expression. 

But lest I be tedious, as your time is much occupied, I will 
conclude. No remarkable increase here. Mr. B. is useful to 
individuals, and much liked. Messrs. C. and E., if removed, 
will, I hope, be succeeded by those united to the place. Wish- 
ing Mr. Mather an increase of every purchased and promised 
blessing, I remain his well wisher in Jesus, 

D. Maxwell.* 

TO MRS. JOHNSON. 

October 19, 1795. 
I have long wished to hear from Mrs. Johnson, and at times, 
when in secret, before the Lord, have been led to think she was 

* The above letter shows the solicitude felt by Lady Maxwell for the 
welfare of that body of Christians to which she was united, at a time 
when the discussion of certain points of discipline threatened, for a short 
season, to disturb the peace and unity of the connection. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 383 

under the rod. His Spirit has enabled me to p ead for her, as 
thus situated; and by recent accounts from Mrs. C, I rind my 
apprehensions were just. Your God, as formerly, I doubt not 
has been with you in the furnace ; to support, to comfort, and to 
make you sing for mercy, as well as judgment. Perhaps you 
will not thank me for saying that I hope the Lord will keep you 
a little longer in this vale of tears, and give you to see yet more 
of the fruit of your labours, for his name's sake. By your last, 
some months ago, it appeared he was enlarging your sphere of 
usefulness ; I hope it is still the case. 

Much praise is due to the Father of mercies for the peace 
and union he has restored to our Zion ; it is his own doing, and 
may well be marvellous in our eyes. O that the happy fruits 
of it may more and more appear. During the long and painful 
agitation, my mind was kept in peace, free from prejudice and 
undue warmth ; endeavouring to commit both parties to him, 
that both might be led into his holy will. And O, how gra- 
ciously hath he dealt with both : surely he heareth prayer. Deep 
and sweet has been my fellowship with the sacred Three since 
I last wTOte, but more especially with God the Father ; rich and 
frequent the discoveries of his love, his perfect love. The teach- 
ings of his Spirit, and humbling views of self, have been very 
clear ; and he seemed to empty, in order to fill. I prove these 
stripping times very favourable to a life of simple faith. Eter- 
nity will not be too long wherein to praise my God, for the 
lessons he hath taught me, respecting this great duty and pri- 
vilege of living by faith. Great are its effects ; but I am slow 
in learning the lessons of his grace, though he condescends to 
give line upon line and precept upon precept. Sweet has been 
my enjoyment, and many my advantages, in being taught to put 
in practice the lessons he has given me of trusti?ig in him, in 
every situation ; but especially in difficult cases. He has, and 
does point out my way, giving me to hear, as it were, a voice, 
(though no articulate sound,) " This is the way, walk ye in it :" 
so strong has been the notice upon my mind, of the path of 
duty. He is indeed a soul-satisfying portion ; he is my God 
and my all. But though thus blessed at times, I have seasons 
of close trial ; the combined powers of darkness seem engaged 
against me, while there appears no power in me to combat such 
powerful foes, such an army of aliens : yet simply looking to 
Jesus by faith, endeavouring to trust in the' Lord my God, ab- 
stracted from creature, looking above them, I am supported. I 
am delivered so evidently by the arm, not of flesh, but of Jeho- 
vah himself, that nothing is left me wherein to glory. I am 
sweetly constrained to give the glory where alone it is due. I 
have admired the goodness of my God of late, that, even in the 
heat of battle, he hath made my evidences of his pure love 
stron?, even to meridian brightness ; much more so than when 



334 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

there was peace in all my borders. This appeared the more 
remarkable to me, because I always seemed to be sensible of a 
deficiency on such occasions. 

For a week or two past, I have felt a degree of heaviness 
through manifold temptations; but by quietly trusting in the Lord, 
and avoiding all hasty conclusions, he has given me clearly to 
see that his work is going on in my soul. To him I would leave 
the way and manner. My soul uniformly desires the prosperity 
of Zion ; it seems my meat and drink to promote it : and he, in 
his adorable providence, still opens many unexpected ways, and 
shines on rny feeble attempts. 

But I have been particularly tried lately by the loss of a young 
man, who has been of great use to me. He taught my week-day 
school, consisting of fifteen children ; and superintended my 
Sunday school, in which there are at present upward of sixty 
young men, remarkably alive to God ; and many young women, 
truly desirous to flee from the wrath to come. Many hundreds 
also flocked to hear him on the Lord's day evening, to whom he 
appeared greatly blessed. But he and many others thought the 
light shone clear for his going to Sierra Leone as a missionary. 
Do pray for a successor according to God's own heart ; and that 
my poor labours may be increased, and my own soul greatly 
blessed. 

Remember me kindly to Miss Ritchie. I have long expected 
to hear from her. Wishing you a still deeper acquaintance with 
the sacred Three ; still more power to glorify Him who liveth 
for ever ; and an interest in your prayers that I may wax stronger 
and stronger, " sink deeper and rise higher ;" and with many 
prayers for the prosperity of your society, and Christian respects 
to Mrs. Cole and Atmore, I am dear Mrs. Johnson's friend in 
Jesus, D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXXL— 1796. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 

January 5. (Friday.) Still I find cause to make mention of the 
loving kindness of the Lord. Since last Friday my God has, 
in various ways, shown me his goodness. On Sunday last, I was 
permitted to show forth the death of Jesus, when he spoke to 
my heart by his servant. He has allowed some sweet seasons 
in secret prayer, with much of the communion of saints. Yes- 
terday, as he often does on that day, he was remarkably gracious 
when with a few of his children in social prayer. Jesus drew 
sweetly and most sensibly nigh : O how glorious did he appear 
to the eye of faith ! how altogether lovely ! How irresistibly 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 335 

attractive his love ! Through him, I had access to Jehovah, 
whose divine presence I as sensibly felt ; but it was all in the 
dignity of God the Father, which solemnized my mind, and filled 
with sacred awe, so that I rejoiced with deep reverence. This 
distinction, in the manifestation of divine love proceeding more 
immediately from Jehovah himself, uniformly marks all the inter- 
course I am privileged to enjoy with him. I pant for power to 
improve it more, by earnest prayer. I feel as if hitherto I had 
asked nothing, while the Lord seems to say, " Ask, and receive, 
that your joy may be full." Through mercy, I am still kept as 
in the dust. My views of self are truly humbling ; and I am still 
desirous of lying lower, as preparatory to larger attainments in 
the divine life. My evidences of sanctification have not been so 
clear. I have been resting too much in present enjoyment ; but 
the Lord calls on me to press forward. I get more extensive 
views of entire devotion of heart and life. Help me, holy Father, 
to attain. I am drawn to a greater and more constant realizing 
of the divine presence, and to an enduring as seeing Him who is 
invisible. « 

March 25. (Friday.) I have nothing to say for myself, if it 
is not to confess and mourn over my shortcomings. I feel it 
painful to have this so often to repeat : but so it is. O my 
God, shall I ever live at this poor dying rate : forbid it, gracious 
Lord. Let a stroke of omnipotence set me free, from this ina- 
bility to live up to my privileges. I would, with thy servant of 
old, be able to say, though " of myself I can do nothing, through 
Christ strengthening me I can do all things." Hasten, holy 
Father, the happy time. 

Had again another opportunity of renewing my engagement to 
be the Lord's, at his own table, on Sunday last, where he was 
gracious. "When joining the congregation, in that delightful part 
of public worship, singing the praise of God, the great Master 
of the gospel feast came down in the power of his Spirit. Jesus 
felt nigh, and very precious, during a sermon from the 5th and 
6th verses of the 53d chapter of Isaiah. God the Father also 
condescended to visit with a sweet sense of hispresence. My 
inmost soul felt pierced with deep astonishment at the height and 
depth of redeeming love. It seemed a mystery, my limited under- 
standing could not comprehend, and, indeed, how should finite 
minds fully understand the doings of an infinite Being. I bless 
the Lord, who has given me to believe and taste of redeeming 
love, which is more necessary ; and daily to thirst after an 
increase. On the whole, it was a most solemn time, and, I hope, 
profitable. On Monday had a sweet visit from the adorable Son 
of God, when at a throne of grace. In the evening, a spirit of 
prayer seemed to rest on me while joining with a few living 
souls ; some of whom were wrestling with the Lord, in all the 
power of prayer, in behalf of all present, of the work of God, 



336 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

and for the best interests of mankind in general. Jehovah came 
down ; my whole soul confessed a present God. O why do not 
these precious manifestations, so often repeated, prove of a more 
transforming nature. O my God, remove the cause, that I may 
praise thee. The Lord has granted another of my requests, 
since last date, and one more seems in a good train. Surely 
he heareth the cries of his children. O my God, remem- 
ber especially one of these still unanswered ; it is well known 
to thee, with the necessity of it. Let me have cause to praise 
thee for a favourable answer to it before I again take up my pen. 

April 8. (Friday.) Again I take up my pen, and though 1 
have mercy to record, still I feel cause to mourn. For some 
weeks, I seem to have been brought into straits, that I might 
see a display and breaking forth of the glory of my God afresh. 
For this I have waited, and looked, and prayed; but still his 
chariot wheels delay. At times I must own there has been 
something of this kind ; but it was not lasting. Yesterday, for 
a few minutes, I prayed to him as circumstances would permit, 
and of a truth he quickly answered ; prayer brought him down ; 
in a moment he was nigh ; and I felt that " where the Spirit of the 
Lord is, there is liberty." A song of praise was put in my 
mouth : it seemed as if I were on holy ground. A reverential 
awe, sweetly tempered with love, rested upon me. The second 
person in the adorable Trinity also visited me, and brought with 
him a heaven of love. I felt as if Deity was present, and passing 
quickly by me ; yet leaving the divine impress behind. My mouth 
was opened ; I was saved from sterility of thought, and barrenness 
of expression ; and I made mention of the loving kindness of the 
Lord : when he is nigh, every mountain flows down, and streams 
break out in the desert. On Sabbath morning last, also, in 
public, I felt a lively, deep, solemn sense of the presence of 
Jehovah ; it seemed to arrest all the powers of my mind ; but it 
is something still greater, and permanent, that I look and long 
for. Strongly impressed with the necessity of constant prayer, 
I would be pouring out my heart continually ; yet often when I 
bow my knee all my kindling ardours die away, and at night 
have the mortification to find another day gone, and little gained : 
I feel bowed down on these accounts. Shall my desires always 
so far outstrip my attainments 1 O my Father, let it not be. In 
temporal concerns, desire is termed the hectic of the fool ; but 
not so surely in spiritual matters. Convince me, O thou Hearer 
of prayer, that it is not. 

September 30. (Friday.) Since my last, my joys and com- 
forts have run in a low channel. At times, when calling to 
remembrance the goodness of my God, immediate comfort has 
sprung up in my heart ; but it has not long continued. Tempt- 
ations have not been wanting, to call in question what was 
spoken from on high. It has been asked, " Has the Lord indeed 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 337 

said so ?" This hath been the manner of the grand adversary of 
God's people from the beginning. Lord, counteract all his mali- 
cious designs against me, and enable me to rise superior to them 
all. Upon the whole, since Saturday last, I have felt much lan- 
guor of spirit, which grieves me ; yet my God hath given me 
victory, sensible victory in some cases, and I look for more. I 
have felt much the want of a wrestling spirit in secret prayer ; 
yet have proved it good to wait on the Lord in that exercise. I 
nave been in heaviness through manifold temptations and some 
perplexities. I feel we are come to a most eventful period. 
Great events seem in the womb of providence ; prospects are 
dark as to some things, and cheering as to others : judgment 
seems at hand. And yet the right hand of the Lord is in ap- 
pearance made bare in the conversion of sinners in many places ; 
in a growing spirit of prayer poured on multitudes ; and the 
hearts of thousands are stirred up to seek the conversion of 
heathen nations ; while a spirit of inquiry seems resting on many 
of God's ancient people ; with other appearances that would lead 
to hope the time for their returning is drawing nigh. Lord, thou 
knowest all things, and sittest at the helm of affairs, with the 
reins of providential government in thy hands : this is matter of 
solid comfort to thy people. shine more fully on the soul of 
thy handmaid, and enable her in every situation so to trust in 
thee as to be kept in perfect peace. Have mercy on our sinful 
island, seemingly ripe for judgments. Help, Lord, for the glory 
of thy name. 

October 29. (Friday.) My God has been gracious since last 
date. On Sabbath last, the word preached in the morning, from 
Rev. xx, 12, he made a word of consolation, of quickening, of 
instruction : Deity felt very nigh. By faith, I had such a real- 
izing view of the triumphant entry of the Lord Jesus into heaven 
upon his ascension, after having finished his great work in the 
redemption of mankind, as astonished me. Lord, make it pro- 
fitable. On Monday evening, in my way to the house of the 
Lord, God the Father so manifested himself to me as I can no- 
wise express. For a moment, I started back, fearing it might 
prove a prelude to great sufferings, but soon recovered ; and still, 
when I look up to him, he feels at hand. How is it, Lord, that 
I do not make greater progress ? Thou art good, and my soul 
pants after the full possession of every new-covenant blessing. 
O Lord, transform me more fully into the divine image ; and let 
thy Spirit witness with mine that I do love thee with all my 
heart. O fill me witli the fruit of the Spirit, and make me much 
more useful to thy churcli and people. Thou knowest I esteem 
this my highest honour and richest privilege. I fear living a 
useless life : forbid it, Lord. I deeply feel my shortcomings, let 
me not always make my moan : put a song in my mouth, and 
enable me every momen f to live by faith upon thv Son. Without 
15 



338 LIFE OF LADY MAXWKLL. 

him, I can do nothing. The tide of satanical temptation has not 
run so high these last eight days. May patience have its perfect 
work in every trying time. 

Dec. 30. In the course of providence, I am brought now 
very near the close of another year. O that every revolving sea- 
son may find me improved and advanced in the divine life. I 
would hope, in some degree, they meet me most sincerely aim- 
ing at this ; and that, though slowly, they find me in motion. 
Greatly quicken it, gracious Lord. Yesterday my God gave me 
a token for good. In the midst of hurry, he drew unexpectedly 
near, and spread a heavenly tranquillity through my mind ; and 
just after opened my mouth remarkably in conversation with one 
of his own ministering saints upon the rich privileges of the 
Christian even in this life. Soon after, when with three of his 
ministering servants, in the course of prayer, praise, and Chris- 
tian conference, he renewed the view of the sacred Trinity given 
me last week, and we all found it good to wait on God. After 
dinner, I found much liberty of speech on the peculiar enjoy- 
ments of the Lord's people who live up to their privileges ; those 
of them that are taught from on high to live by simple faith on 
the Son of God. Lord, teach me this important lesson more 
fully. Still I am kept in constant pursuit of higher attainments 
in the divine life. Do. holy Father, give them, and cause me 
also to sink lower in my own eyes, and to rise higher and get 
nearer to thee. In general, the great object of entire devotion is 
set before me every morning, and strongly thirsted after : but 0, 
how slowly do I move, and through what a crowd of hinder- 
ances. Through the day was kept in the midst of trial, and 
made thankful for it. Evermore, Lord, make manifest thy 
strength in my weakness. 

TO MISS RITCHIE. 

June 28, 1796. 
After a long interval, I had the satisfaction to receive dear 
Miss Ritchie's letter the end of April. I had no design to drop 
the correspondence, and am pleased that an opportunity now 
opens for renewing it, though my situation does not always ad- 
mit of those regular returns I could wish. Since I wrote last, 
my obligations to redeeming love have been greatly increased. 
In vain would I attempt to enumerate them ; they are, indeed, 
more than the hairs of my head. Time would fail to tell of the 
numberless manifestations of divine love and power. I have, 
though deeply unworthy, been favoured with such wonderful let- 
tings into Deity as no language can describe or explain ; but the 
whole soul dilates itself in the exquisite enjoyment ; so refined, 
so pure, so tempered with sacred awe, so guarded by heavenly 
solemnity, as effectually to prevent all irregularity of desires ; 
these, with every power of the mind, bow in holy subjection 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 339 

before Jehovah. Surely the feelings of the soul, on these memo- 
rable occasions, are nearly similar to those enjoyed by the 
heavenly inhabitants. I have it still to remark, that all my inter- 
course with God the Father is strongly marked with that superior 
solemnity and awe which lay and keep the soul in the dust, yet 
raise it to that holy dignity which flows from a consciousness of 
union with Deity : " and love matured makes it the willing servant 
of all for Christ's sake. 

My full heart could say much on this delightful subject, but 
necessary calls to various duties oblige me to abridge my views 
and experience of these deep things of God. What follows must 
be a short abstract. In the course of a few years past, I have 
made sensible progress in self-knowledge ; learned not only the 
depth of the fall, but the universality of its effects upon every 
power of the human mind. These have been humbling, but pro- 
fitable lessons, and have proved preparatory to larger measures 
of grace — more especially to that near and dear fellowship with 
Jehovah which he has condescended to allow me for some 
considerable time. During this period he has also stooped 
to teach me largely of the nature of simple faith ; how neces- 
sary to stability in the ways of God ; how requisite for un- 
interrupted communion with heaven ; how pleasing to Jehovah ; 
how effectual in counteracting the malicious designs and subtle 
devices of the great adversary of man ; how powerful to support 
the soul when called to combat with the combined powers of 
darkness, in the absence of heavenly joys, which otherwise 
would have sunk it into the mire of evil reasoning. Too much 
cannot be said of this wonder-working principle. Yet I am 
well aware that it has no intrinsic value of itself, but only as it 
stands connected with its great object, the Lord Jesus Christ, 
The farther I go in the divine life, the more enlarged are my 
views of the Christian's privileges, so that I am constrained to 
forget the things that are behind. I herein see the wisdom and 
goodness of my God, who thus prevents the danger of sinking 
too deep into present enjoyment. My whole soul says he doth 
all things well. It is almost impossible to say how far I find my- 
self behind, both in Christian experience and also in activity in 
the ways and cause of God : though my beart beats high for a 
more enlightened sphere of usefulness, and much more fidelity in 
the one in which I now move. 

The Lord, I see, is still dealing very graciously with Miss 
Ritchie. How profitable are trials ! She proves this, and also 
enjoys the peculiar comforts that are allowed under the cross, 
while both are improved for the glory of God and the profit of her 
fellow creatures. There is a wide field for this in Bristol and its 
environs. I hope the conciliating measures and manners of Mrs. 
J. and yourself will, by the blessing of the Most High, greatly 
promote Christian love and union among the Lord's people. 



340 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Please give Christian love and best wishes to Mrs. J. with 
Christian respects to Mrs. Cole and Atmore. I wish also to be 
remembered to Mr. and Mrs. P., and the many precious souls I 
had the privilege of being acquainted with at Bristol. I should 
be happy to hear that every dispute was lost in love, and the 
work of the Lord prospering greatly : then they would willingly 
grant me the aid of their warmest addresses at a throne of grace 
for my rapid progress in the ways of God. I never esteemed 
an interest in the prayers of the Lord's people so highly as now. 

Many interruptions have caused numberless inaccuracies in 
this tedious epistle ; all which, I doubt not, will be overlooked 
by Miss Ritchie, whose friend I subscribe myself, with Christian 
love, D. Maxwell. 

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

. July 11, 1796. 

I meant, long before now, to have told you that it was with 
satisfaction I perceived you had taken up your pen in defence 
of that important branch of doctrine and experience so little 
known by many Christians, and experienced by fewer, entire 
sanctification. Is the small manuscript treatise upon that sub- 
ject, a sight of which you favoured me with some years ago, 
never to see the light ? I wish you would go forward in the 
strength of the Lord, and furnish us with a little volume ; com- 
plete, both as to doctrine and experience. It would, at least, be 
strengthening to those whose minds have been so far enlightened 
as to believe the former, and enjoy the latter, in a small measure. 
It might, also, by the blessing of the Lord, be very useful in re- 
moving prejudices from the minds of honest, though ignorant 
inquirers ; and make the precious truth more extensively known. 
Hitherto its boundaries are within the line of Methodism : and, 
alas! how partially received even there. But there is reason to 
believe the time hastens on when this line shall be stretched over 
the Christian world. Hail, auspicious day ! Let me entreat 
you, dear sir, to exert all your powers to embalm this precious 
truth. Perhaps there are not many preachers in the connection 
so much master of the subject. It will be rendering an essential 
service to the Christian world in general, and to the Methodist 
connection in particular. But I forbear : in this and all other 
matters, may you be taught of God himself. 

With respect to myself, I am still enabled to testify of the 
goodness of the Lord. My fellowship with Jehovaji is most 
sensibly increased of late. At times, I am favoured with such 
lettings into Deity as far exceed my barren powers of expres- 
sion. I do not feel sterility of thought so much, for the Lord 
condescends to give such glorious views of the Christian's privi- 
leges, and by the light of a luminous faith enables me so to 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 341 

realize future and unseen things as I sometimes think is surely 
akin to the beatific vision. O what heights and depths I see 
before me ! What, as yet unexperienced, degrees of nearness 
to, and close walking with, and rich enjoyment of, the sacred 
Three ! but more especially with Jehovah. I feel such a sink- 
ing into him, such a conscious union with him, as lays me in the 
dust before him, and keeps me there. I never had, till of late, 
such piercing convictions of my nothingness. Language fails to 
express what I feel of this ; and I suppose it must increase as I 
get nearer to the Fountainhead : till I am swallowed up and 
lost in the ocean of pure love. In the meantime, all my powers 
seem gathered up and centred in God, who allows me a holy 
familiarity with himself that stamps a conscious dignity upon the 
soul, and seems to fit me for present duty, however above my 
natural abilities. This assistance is afforded in a way that 
proves its divine origin ; keeps me little in my own eyes ; dis- 
posed to give the glory where alone it is due. I do reap still 
much benefit from living by simple faith ; it, indeed, brings 
" deep peace and present power." 

I have to remark now, more than ever, the fulness of the 
divine presence in our little class meeting here ; and something 
still more remarkable, (as there is often only myself, and some- 
times two or three preachers,) there is for the time an uncom- 
mon power given me to express my own experience. I seem 
earried above my own words, thoughts, and above my whole self, 
upon the subject of entire devotion. In my little way, on these 
occasions, my experience is much upon that subject. I have 
thought this must be for others. If I can throw in even a mite 
into the divine treasury, I shall esteem it a peculiar privilege. 
I pray that you may all meet in the spirit of love and forbear- 
ance at the conference, and that the Almighty fiat may sanction 
your every determination : then all will be just as it should be. 
Wishing you much more than ever of the divine presence, and 
a still fuller testimony of the destruction of the bitter root, with 
the sealing of the Spirit unto redemption's day ; I am, Rev. sir, 
in Christian bonds, 

Your faithful, humble servant, D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXXIL— 1797. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 

February 24. (Friday.) Still I live, because my God is good. 
In the course of these eight days, I have at times been rather de- 
pressed on account of unfruitfulness. I would be all for God — 
every nerve strung with holy ardour of desire to promote his 



342 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

cause upon earth ; and yet I seem to do nothing. Lord, if it is 
thy will, enlarge my sphere, and make me more faithful in the 
present narrow one in which I move. Thou knowest every par- 
ticular in my present situation, and what my hinderances are, 
and can easily remove them. The perilous situation of our land 
occupies many of my thoughts and words, both to God and man. 
Matters seem now to draw to a painful crisis. Blessed God, 
interpose ! undertake our cause : and, if not contrary to thy will, 
and derogatory to thy glory, yet spare ; and let the bitter cup 
pass from us, at least for a season. O hear the unceasing prayers 
and supplications that are ascending from every quarter; in pub- 
lic, private, and secret. Thou hast often, in former days, ap- 
peared remarkably for our sinful island. Thou changest not. If 
our cup of iniquity be not already full, O gracious Lord, yet as- 
sist us in our extremity ! If it be, O spare thy own people ; — 
cover their heads — hide them in the hollow of thy hand ! Speak, 
Lord, for the glory of thy name. 

March 3. (Friday.) I have some reason to believe that the 
Lord has heard, and answered, since last date. He has put 
work in my hand I did not expect, and owned me in it, after 
convincing me deeply of unfruitfulness. Last week I had a par- 
ticular call in providence, not only to arise myself, and pray for 
our guilty land, but to urge others to join me in the important 
work of intercession. This call the Lord has so owned as to 
leave not a shadow of doubt that it came from himself. He 
has inclined many to unite in the sacred work ; favoured with 
much liberty at a throne of grace ; great comfort has been 
experienced by some ; together with such a strong stimulus 
to prayer as has not often been found on former occasions ; 
all which gives encouragement to believe solid good will be the 
result. Grant it, gracious Lord, for thy name's sake : and, though 
the beginning is small, let it greatly increase. 

10. (Friday.) Since the 3d instant, the Lord of heaven 

and earth, whom winds and waves obey ; who giveth victory or 
defeat, by sea or land, as he sees meet ; hath appeared sig- 
nally in our behalf, guilty as we are. O how blind are those who 
do not see that the hand of God, and not superior seamanship, 
is the grand cause that fifteen sail of British ships should overcome 
the Spanish fleet, consisting of twenty-seven. Not only cap- 
turing two first-rates of one hundred and twelve guns each, and 
two others, one of eighty and one of seventy guns, but also great- 
ly damaging several others ; and thereby preventing their junc- 
tion with the French and Dutch fleets, who avowedly owned 
their design of invading our little island. Lord, it is thy do- 
ing, and may well be wondrous in our eyes : therefore to thee 
be all the glory, to whom alone it is due.* Surely prayer has 

* This brilliant victory was obtained under tho command of Sir John 
Jejrvis, off Cape St. Vincent, on the 14th of the preceding month; and 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 343 

been heard. O may we all be thankful and humble ! and do 
thou, O Lord, grant thy blessing - , and hear the prayers offered 
up. Regard our late attempts to humble ourselves by confes- 
sion on the last day set apart as a national fast of Scotland ; and 
own a neighbouring nation, this day employed in the like solemn 
exercises. If possible, yet save us for thy name's sake. Great 
was also the goodness of our God in defeating the attempt of a 
descent upon Ireland some months ago ; even after part of the 
enemy's forces were landed. He caused the wind to blow that 
scattered their fleet, and obliged them to return to port greatly 
damaged.* How wonderful is his goodness to his unworthy 
creatures ! O let it prove salvation to us ! Neither would we 
forget his recent appearance for us in Wales, when he caused 
twelve hundred troops, who had made good a landing on that 
coast, to lay down their arms, and surrender themselves as pri- 
soners of war, when only opposed by the militia and the coun- 
try people, rising in a mass against them. How easily, if not 
prevented by the God of battles, might the enemy have over- 
come. O Lord, may these memorable instances of thy goodness 
to us be written in indelible characters upon our hearts ; and ap- 
pear in our lives by universal obedience to thy commands. With- 
out this thorough reformation, by the faith of the gospel, though 
the fatal blow may be suspended for a season, it must take place ; 
and we may fear, with double severity, after having rendered 
ourselves doubly guilty by resisting every effort made for our 
deliverance. 

April 14. Sabbath last, I was glad to go to the house of God 

acquired for the British admiral the appropriate title of Earl of St. Vincent. 
Baine's History of the War, b. ii, ch. i, p. 181. 

* This gracious interposition of Providence deserves to be farther no- 
ticed. " The republican government of France, perceiving a crisis in the 
situation of Ireland more favourable to the success of an invasion than any 
which had occurred since the French revolution, seized that occasion to 
strike a blow of no common importance. Fifteen thousand chosen troops, 
under the command of Hoche, were embarked at Brest, on the 15th De- 
cember, 1796 ; intended to act on their arrival with a body of the disaffected 
Irish, who were known to be considerable in numbers, and organized for 
insurrection by chiefs of talents and intrepidity. Every thing being pre- 
pared, Admiral Villaret Joyeuse set sail from Brest with eighteen sail of 
the line, beside frigates and transports, while the general embarked with 
his staff on board the frigate La Fraternite. The wind at first was favoura- 
ble ; but scarcely had the expedition left the outer harbour, when a storm 
arose which dispersed the fleet, and separating the frigate which carried 
Hoche, obliged him to escape into the harbour of Rochelle, after weather- 
ing a dangerous cruise, ana being chased by two British vessels. Of the 
whole fleet, only eight two-deckers reached the coast of Ireland, under Ad- 
miral Bouvet, who appeared off Bantry Bay, but was forced from thai situa 
tion in a few days by tempestuous weather, and obliged to return to France 
without effecting a landing. In this disastrous expedition the French lost 
not less than three ships of the line and three frigates from the adverse 
elements." — Bailie's History of the War, b.i, ch. xxii. p. 167. 



344 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

in the morning, though my expectations were not fully answered. 
On coming home soon after, I went to prayer with a Christian 
friend, without any enlarged expectations. Yet my gracious God 
and Father broke into my soul in a wonderful manner ; and so 
clearly appeared to the eye of faith, as seated on a throne of 
grace, willing to hear and help, as astonished me ; and, if I may 
so express it, held out the sceptre of mercy, as a token of love 
and gracious acceptance, as King Ahasuerus did of old to Es- 
ther. This passage of Scripture immediately occurred to my 
mind ; but 0, how different the condescension : the latter was 
but an earthly monarch, though he reigned over twenty-seven 
provinces ; the former, the King eternal, immortal, invisible, 
the only wise God. A solemn, deep, yet sweet sense of the 
divine presence penetrated my whole soul ; and, through mercy 
I have never since lost the glorious view. O that it may prove 
transforming, and that I may be enabled to walk more humbly 
and closely with God than ever. 

May 12. O God, how good, how strong art thou. On Thurs- 
day had a sweet season in secret prayer. Soon after, my soul 
was much blessed with the perusal of a Christian friend's letter, 
highly favoured of the Lord. Jehovah drew nigh, and my soul 
felt as if set on fire ; not only in point of strong desire, but of 
enjoyment. It was a precious season. Soon after, when joining 
a few Christian friends in prayer, praise, and Christian conver- 
sation, I found the place rendered sacred by the divine presence ; 
while my God set clearly before me that inward life the Chris- 
tian is called to live by faith in Jesus, and gave me a rich taste 
of it. I felt sinking into Deity, losing myself in the ocean of 
divine love ; while Jehovah seemed to fill all space. In the 
evening, when in secret before God, he again repeated his 
wonderful goodness ; felt so near, so manifested his divine 
presence, as I can nowise express or explain. O Lord, grant 
great and permanent effects ; let it not pass away unimproved, 
as too many of these wonderful and gracious manifestations have 
done ; at least, not so much improved as they might have been, 
had I been more faithful. O Lord, I have daily cause of humi- 
liation before thee ; yet this does not prevent thy flow of mercy 
to me. How wonderful thy goodness, for Christ's sake, to thy 
poor dust and ashes. I would lie low before thee, and lament 
my unworthiness and unfaithfulness. 

June 30. (Friday.) I have reason to bless the Lord for a 
sweet sense of his love shed abroad in my heart, with a deep, 
very deep consciousness of his goodness, both with respect to 
public and private affairs. Truly my meditations upon these 
doings of the Lord have been very comfortable. With respect 
to the former, I seem to have a sweet notice from on high, that 
public calamities have been retarded, our tranquillity lengthened, 
and many remarkable interpositions in behalf of our country 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 345 

obtained, by the unceasing prayer that has for many months 
been ascending in the name of Jesus, in various places, and by 
every denomination of Christians. And it appears to me that 
while this spirit of prayer is continued, national judgments will 
be suspended. I feel, therefore, a dread, lest any of us should 
be less frequent or fervent at a throne of grace now, when pub- 
lic affairs wear a more pleasing aspect : may a gracious God 
prevent it. I believe also it is particularly pleasing to him that 
so many in different places, and in various situations in life, are 
stirring themselves up to spread the knowledge of the truth as 
it is in Jesus, both at home and abroad. O that this keen edge 
may never wear off, and that the Lord may countenance every 
attempt made agreeably to his will, for the conversion of sinners, 
and the building up of his saints. 

July 21. (Friday.) These last eight days I have been much 
favoured with intense breathings after all the life of God ; and 
tried with a keen sense of my weakness and inability to walk up 
to the light given. My heart almost breaketh for longings after 
what I do not attain. Help, Lord — how long : O let it suffice. 
The time is short. Give me all I desire : all, all, that is in thee ; 
all that, as a creature, I can receive. The way is made plain ; 
the promises are on my side ; also the faithfulness of God. I 
enjoy many sweet and powerful manifestations of the love of the 
Father and the Son ; but these cannot suffice. My God, under- 
take for me, level every mountain. I have long felt my own 
weakness ; now let me prove thy mighty power made manifest 
in it, and thine shall be the glory. Since last date, I have had 
a kind of general notice on my mind, as if the Lord had more 
work for me, while my heart feels ardently desirous of being 
employed by him. I long for more active service, and plead 
and wish that he would raise up some to join me in it. Lord, 
let this light shine clearer, and make the impression deeper, if 
from thee. 

August 11. (Friday.) Surely I am called to declare that 
God is love. Much of his goodness has passed before me since 
last date. Had, last Sabbath, an opportunity of remembering 
the dying love of Jesus, with power to make known all my wants 
at his table ; though not such a rich enjoyment of divine things. 
On Monday the eternal world and its blessed inhabitants seemed 
nigh. I felt as if mingling with kindred spirits that had escaped 
from a land of misery to the abodes of bliss. In the evening 
found it good to meet with a select few, and join in prayer, 
praise, and Christian conference. Many are my opportunities : 
O that my progress bore any proportion. One evening, after the 
fatigue of much business, while in secret prayer, the Lord Jesus 
drew unexpectedly nigh ; quick as lightning he touched my heart 
with the fivn of his love. I very soon found it was preparatory 
to trials, from which I suffered keenlv for some time. I cried 
15* 



S46 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

to my God to help, and lead into his will, which in mercy he 
soon did ; pointed out my way, and gave power to walk in it, 
trusting in himself; rising above nature's false feelings, and vic- 
tory quickly followed. A song of grateful praise was put into 
my mouth, and into the hearts of others particularly concerned 
in the final issue of the affair. O God, who is a God like unto 
thee ! How often have I proved thee, in various kinds of straits, 
a present aid. Bless the Lord, my soul. O that every instance 
of thy goodness may bring me nearer to thyself, and increase 
my conformity to the divine image. 

October 20. (Friday.) My comforts have not been so strong 
these some days past, though still a measure of the divine mani- 
festation, with which I was favoured some weeks ago, remains ; 
with a small renewal of it at times. My soul has mourned after 
greater nearness to my God. I felt as if I could not live with- 
out it. My feelings were something similar to what the poet 
expresses of " tears that delight, and sighs that waft to heaven," 
for I experienced an increase of divine love while thus exercised. 
But, alas ! it is but a drop, compared with that fulness promised 
by a faithful God. O Lord, remove every hinderance, and let 
me prove this fulness for thy name's sake. Teach me how to 
improve thy goodness ; yea, thy every dispensation, both of grace 
and providence. Yesterday was a time of trial in the morning, 
but soon after my God wonderfully turned my captivity : heard 
prayer, and came down to my help ; we all felt his blessed pre- 
sence, and made mention of his loving kindness. I felt astonished 
at his goodness and power. how soon can he turn mourning 
into joy. 

Words fail to say what my feelings have been these days 
past, on account of the wonderful interposition of a God of love 
as to public affairs ; just when we seemed on the brink of destruc- 
tion as an island. O how dark the political horizon appeared, 
from the recent events that had taken place in Paris ; and from 
the sailing of the Dutch fleet (so long blocked up in their har- 
bour, by the vigilance of Admiral Duncan) to join the formidable 
armament at Brest. It was believed a determined design to in- 
vade Great Britain or Ireland, and most likely both. At this 
critical moment our almighty Preserver appeared in our behalf, 
and delivered into our hands, after a desperate engagement, nine 
or ten of the Dutch ships, including two flag ships, with both 
admirals. Lord, how great is thy mercy ! How great is thy 
power, for it. is thy doings ; therefore to thee be all the glory. 
O write it deep on every British heart, " it is the doing of the 
Lord ;" and teach all of us to render the thanks and praise that 
are due. that thy goodness would lead us as a people to repent- 
ance. O God, give thy blessing with this signal deliverance, 
that we may yet be preserved, and made a holy and a happy 
people. I never felt more jealous for the glory of my God than 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 347 

on this signal occasion, lest we should not see, and that eminently, 
his hand in this great business ; lest we should give that praise 
to men (who are but his instruments) which is due to the Lord 
alone. Surely he is trie Hearer of prayer. None, O Lord, cry 
to thee in vain that cry aright. Blessed God, maintain what 
thou hast wrought for us.* 

November 3. (Friday.) The tide of spriritual temptation 
has run high these eight days. My conflicts with the powers of 
darkness strong ; yet have felt support and, at times, comfort : 
a struggling into God ; a wrestling spirit for every purchased 
blessing : especially sanctification, with the seal of the Holy 
Spirit. Without this, I find the power of painful temptation 
soon dims the evidence that arises from the fruit of the Spirit. 
I have felt powerfully drawn to a throne of grace these days 
past ; yet, when there, had the mortification to find all my kind- 
ling ardours die away ; notwithstanding, I have sensibly expe 
rienced an increase of the love of God. He certainly, in some 
smali degree, is my God and my all. But O, having tasted of his 
love, I cannot rest till I am lost in him; filled with all his pro- 
mised fulness. I burn with desire to glorify him ; and feel at the 
same time such an inability, such a piercing sense of my nothing- 
ness, as I can nowise express. O my God, when wilt thou 
satiate my weary soul : when wilt thou replenish my sorrowful 
heart : hasten the long vvished-for period. 

Of late I have felt the most ardent desire to exalt the Lord 
Jesus Christ. With what delight do I confess and firmly believe 
him the Son of God, equal with the Father ; yea, God over all, 
blessed for evermore — King of Zion — also the compassionate 
High Priest over the house of God. This in nothing derogates 
from the dignity of his kingly office. I lament the awful heresy 
of the day, and truly pity the authors and abettors of it. The 
former goes to rob Christ of all his glory, and to reduce him to 
a level with the creatures that were created by him ; for he 
created all things : the latter, to the utmost of their limited 
power, build and support this wretched system of doctrine ; and, 
by every possible means, disseminate their destructive principles. 
But the baseless fabric cannot stand, it must tumble down. 
" The heathen may rage, and the people imagine a vain thing : 
kings and rulers may take counsel together, against the Lord, 
and against his Anointed : but he that sitteth in the heavens 
shall laugh ; the Lord shall have them in derision." Pity them, 
O my God, in time ; that they may not be miserable through 
eternity. 

* This action, which was gallantly contested by the principal part of the 
enemy's fleet, proved one of the most brilliant and decisive engagements 
recorded in our naval annals. It was fought between Camperdown and 
Egmont , the land being about nine miles to the leeward, October 1 1 th, of this 
year. — Baine's History, cf-c, b. ii, ch. i, p. 182. 



348 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

TO MRS. JOHNSON. 

August 24, 1797. 

Although the letters in general of my friend in the Lord are 
made spirit and life to my soul, still I am generally, by one cir- 
cumstance or another, prevented answering so soon as I could 
wish, even for my own sake. Every morning I plead with my 
God to fit me for what he may call me to in the course of the 
day. If to write, that he may guide my pen ; if to speak, that 
he may put his words in my mouth ; if to act, that he may give 
that wisdom which cometh down from above : in hopes of the 
answer, I wish, I look that the Hearer of prayer may lead to 
some profitable matter. At this time I praise him for his good- 
ness to you ; and it is also matter of great thankfulness I have 
to praise him for his goodness to myself, in public, in private, 
and in secret. Truly I may say, "God is love." How con- 
descending ! How low does he stoop to his dust and ashes ! He 
makes me rejoice. The Lord is King, and the King is now 
my Friend. How endearing, how delightful my fellowship with 
Deity since I last wrote, eternity alone can say ! And yet, O 
how far short of my vast, yea, unbounded desires. Great is my 
encouragement to press on, from Him who delights to do his 
needy creatures good. Conscious of my many wants, I often, espe- 
cially when with a few of his children for the purpose of social 
prayer, praise, and Christian conference, call upon my God to 
draw T nigh and bless us : Jehovah instantly appears, and so pene- 
trates me with a deep sense of his presence as I would in vain 
attempt to express ; but all present confess, " God is here." The 
adversary, before these precious seasons, tries every method to 
harass me, and to stop my mouth, by confusing my ideas. I feel 
such sterility of thought, such barrenness of expression, as is for 
the time truly trying : but He whom men and devils must obey, 
soon commands him hence ; and then the reign of light, life, love, 
and liberty takes place, and I sink sweetly into God. Nor is it 
a solitary blessing : while the words he gives are spoken in sim- 
plicity, all feel and all praise. 

Self-emptying work still goes forward, as preparatory, I trust, 
to larger incomes than ever. I see and feel my own unworthi- 
ness in a way I cannot express ; but as my friend well under- 
stands from her own experience. I literally find that I can do 
nothing, to any purpose, without continual assistance from Him 
who giveth willingly. This has led me into such an habitual 
looking up for help as enables me in some sort to go forward, 
in whatever I am called to ; though not always so as to please 
myself. 

" O that all the art might know 
Of living thus to thee ! 
Find their heaven begun below, 
And here thy glory see ; 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 349 

Walk in all the works prepared 
By thee to exercise their grace ; 

Till they gain their full reward, 
And see thy glorious face !" 

These words of one of our hymns struck me forcibly a few days 
ago, when called to speak of the Lord's dealings with my soul : 
and feeling rather a degree of embarrassment, from the tempt- 
ations above mentioned, they seemed so immediately given, and 
so expressed the language of my heart, as filled me with gratitude, 
and set my lips at liberty. How am I blessed, and yet how un- 
worthy. O my God, how undeserving of thy notice. O help 
me to glorify and enjoy thee to the uttermost. This is all 
I live for. 

I think, if my heart does not deceive me, my general manner 
of life is a walking in the simplicity of faith: yet with the con- 
scious dignity of a soul closely united to Deity, that would grasp 
infinity itself. Though I am willing to be the servant of all, to 
their edification, I cannot stoop to the trifles of life, which appear 
to many so important ; neither to give much of my time to the 
creature. Having God, a little of them goes a great way. 

You feel your God is your all — to direct, comfort, and in- 
struct still farther in the deep things of Deity ; to enlarge your 
powers of reception, that you may sink still deeper in the bound- 
less ocean of his pure love ; till all you are is lost in him, and 
he is all your own. What endless cause of praise ! Yet how 
feeble is our humanity ! How many the weaknesses, less or 
more, inseparably connected with growing years. To bear them 
with patience, and Christian fortitude and dignity, and so as to 
glorify the Giver of all our mercies, is most desirable. The enemy 
tempts me, at times, to look forward a few years ; and insinuates, 
if I should see them, what weaknesses I may then experience ; 
but I cast him and these thoughts behind, and leave all to my 
God, who has cared for me hitherto, and will to the end. I have 
thought of late that he has more work for me, but as yet I do 
not see where, or how; this also I leave with him. As an island, 
still we are spared ; how wonderful ! His goodness in this 
respect deeply affects me. 

Is there any prospect of primitive Christianity being revived 
in your city ] A spirit of love, I understand, has prevailed in the 
conference. God is with us here ; though we have not any re- 
markable ingathering of souls. Your heart, I hope, will never be 
estranged from that beloved connection. I would write to Miss 
Ritchie, but know not where to find her. A keen edge is upon 
the spirit of many in Scotland, which leads to many laudable at- 
tempts to spread the knowledge of the truth, at home and abroad. 
Since the departure of my two valuable friends, I have stood 
much alone ; none comes to my help, either to assist with purse 
or counsel. Lately, I have wished that the Lord would bring 



350 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

forward some able and willing. I am much tried with the em- 
barrassed state of Lady Glenorchy's funds ; more especially as 
there is no surplus of my own ; while opportunities of various 
kinds are daily occurring for active service, and my heart is 
keenly set for usefulness; but this also I must leave with God. 
Help me by your prayers ; and believe me, with Christian regard, 
Your poor fellow pilgrim, D. Maxwell. 

TO MISS RITCHIE. 

September 5, 1797. 
It has long been upon my mind to answer dear Miss Ritchie's 
profitable letter, received several months ago. She will, through 
the influence of that love which hopeth all things, forgive my 
seeming neglect, and accept a few lines written in the Christian 
spirit ; and, in some degree, under a sweet gale of heavenly and 
divine love. Of late I have, through undeserved mercy, been 
much favoured with close and delightful fellowship with the 
Father and the Son. O how does this dignify human nature ; I 
must also say, how does it humble it, even to the dust. What 
a word of consolation, pure and indescribable, springs from this 
sacred fountain ; ever full, yet ever flowing. And how simple 
the mode of conveyance, by faith. This is, indeed, a wonder- 
working principle, as one justly terms it. I shall bless my God, 
through all the unwasting ages of eternity, for the many useful 
lessons he has taught me respecting it, and still continues to 
teach me, and bears with my slowness in learning and practising 
them. O, who is a God like unto our God ? I hope I may ven- 
ture to say he is my God and my all ; who performeth all things 
for me. 

" Far above all earthly things, 

While yet my hands are here employ'd, 
Sees my soul the King of kings, 
And freely talks with God." 

Amazing privilege : " Lord what is man, that thou dost thus visit 
him." I have but a taste, compared with what is purchased, and 
what I may be enabled to receive. 

I bless the Lord he daily sets before me the glorious prize ; 
all the communicable fulness of Deity. The door stands open : 
he kindly invites me to come forward ; and gives for my encou- 
ragement a sweet taste, which the poverty of human language 
prevents my explaining. At a prayer meeting, about two or 
three weeks ago, my God gave me a rich display of his mercy. 
God the Father and Son broke in with sweet surprise upon 
my soul. He has given many powerful renewals of it since ; 
and though not always with the same degree of joy, it has abode 
with me to the present moment. For some considerable time 
past, in our little class meeting in my own house, we have been 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 351 

most uncommonly favoured with the divine presence. Jehovah 
comes down, and consecrates the place by his presence : and we 
are all constrained to confess a present God. He overshadows 
me, and fills with such a deep, holy, reverential awe, sweetly 
tempered with love, as I cannot explain. I sensibly feel that I 
speak under a sacred unction which reaches the hearts of others, 
and so affects my own that it seems as if the curtains of mor- 
tality were drawn aside, and heaven opened to our view. They 
are indeed precious seasons. O that we may be enabled to im- 
prove them to the uttermost. 

I praise my God, who still keeps me poor in spirit; truly 
sensible of my shortcomings ; yet constantly thirsting after the 
full enjoyment of every purchased blessing, and surrounded with 
the presence of the first person of the glorious Trinity. How 
wonderful his condescension ! For still I find my fellowship and 
intercourse are more constantly with the Father than with the 
Son ; sometimes with both. And still I find communion with 
Jehovah attended with a much larger measure of holy, solemn, 
reverential awe than with the Son. A peculiar degree of inex- 
pressible sweetness attends the latter. I feel that I every mo- 
ment want the merit of his blood, and every moment enjoy it : 
blessed Jesus, how infinite my obligations to thee ! 

I feel at times shy to write or speak of the deep things of 
God ! lest my testimony should not be received, or not under- 
stood ; or lest any should suppose I have more grace than I 
really have. But I feel this inward life is so powerfully main- 
tained while I testify of it, that I cannot be altogether silent ; 
though I do not often either write or speak fully of it. Let us 
press on to the heights and depths of redeeming love : and assist 
each other by prayer, &c, as our Lord shall direct. Our new 
preachers this year have been ushered into their appointment in 
this circuit with many tokens for good. Wishing Miss Ritchie 
every blessing purchased for her, I am, in gospel bonds, her 
friend and fellow pilgrim, D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXXIII.— 1798. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 
January 5. In the beginning of this year, as usual, I renewed 
my engagement to be the Lord's, and only for him, with all I 
have, and am, or ever shall have. Lord, ratify the deed, and 
accept the poor gift of a poor worm, because offered upon that 
altar that sanctifies the gift. The day following, when at a 
throne of grace, and when beginning to ask the life of one of his 
ministers, Jehovah poured a spirit of prayer upon me ; gave me 
a sensible manifestation of his love and increase of fellowship ; 



352 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

with much liberty to pray for the spiritual prosperity of his 
servant, but little freedom to ask for his life. I seemed to meet 
his spirit at a throne of grace, as full of joyous sensations before 
his God, and gratitude to me, for the interest taken in his wel- 
fare. I have hardly once bowed a knee in prayer since, without 
a repetition of this : nor ever lifted up my heart to the Lord, 
whether alone or with others, but instantly my friend joined me 
in spirit ; when even his countenance appeared to the eye of my 
mind as full of heavenly joy. This being rather a new thing to 
me, I feel unable to decide upon it, and what to think of it I 
know not ; therefore, only simply state the matter of fact. It is 
possible, in the course of providence, I may hear of something 
that will prove explanatory. I praise my God, who so blessed 
my own soul in my attempt to help a precious fellow creature ; 
and still helps me to hold fast the blessing. This requires no 
explanation, being no unusual thing. O for gratitude. 

February 2. (Friday.) Surely my God hath heard, pitied, 
and helped me since last Friday. The latter part of that day 
the Lord was good, and when tried unexpectedly appeared in my 
behalf. He took hold as it were of my heart, and prevented any 
painful feeling ; and filled me with a strong hope that he would 
undertake my cause, in one way or another ; so that I remained 
unmoved, though appearances were much against attaining the 
object I had in view. But if the Lord says, " Fear not," " faith 
laughs at impossibilities, and cries, It shall be done." Though 
not as yet done, still my trust is in Him who never fails to fulfil 
the hopes himself hath given. The following day also, espe- 
cially in the evening, the Lord felt graciously near, and my hope 
strong. On the Monday, likewise, I had reason to praise him ; 
when reading of the Lord Jesus, he suddenly drew nigh, won- 
derfully clear to the eye of faith ; and very soon after, in secret 
prayer, gave me a delightful view of the sacred Trinity, of the 
personality of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; of their equal- 
ity in power and glory, and sameness of substance. On Thurs- 
day, in secret prayer, he gave me sweet access to a throne of 
grace. I have since been tried with the distress and danger of 
one nearly allied by the ties of nature ; for whom much prayer 
has ascended for his life, but more especially for the life of his 
soul. Hear, Lord, and answer the many petitions offered up for 
our poor guilty country ; and, if possible, spare us yet. I bless 
the Lord for the privilege of secret prayer. What a source of 
comfort and profit to one's own soul, and that of others. Here 
we are permitted to pour out our souls, when grief assails, when 
danger is nigh, or apprehended to be so ; when difficulties in- 
crease, and close and variegated trials press the spirits down ; 
and in all these cases find help, less or more, sooner or later, as 
our compassionate God and Saviour sees best. 

March 23. (Friday.) Since last date I have had some sweet 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 353 

and profitable times. On Monday evening, at the prayer meet- 
ing, the Lord was present to bless and do us good. ' Through 
mercy I obtained an answer, in a measure, to a petition fre- 
quently put up of late respecting that meeting : O that it may be 
fully answered. A fresh flame of strong desire seemed kindled 
in my soul, for the full possession of the fullest salvation of 
God. O how I longed to plunge into the Godhead's deepest sea 
of holy, pure, perfect love. I felt all on fire to be lost in the 
immensity of Deity. Since then have been much drawn out in 
secret prayer to plead for it ; and have been favoured with such 
enlarged desires, such expanded, glorious views of it, as brought a 
present heaven into my soul. The language of my heart was, and is, 

" Sink me to perfection's height, 
The depth of humble love :" 

this, not as a glorious acquisition to aggrandize, and bring 
much respect and admiration to self from surrounding creatures, 
or self-approbation; but as the accomplishment of the gospel 
promises to help me more to glorify God. These are scattered 
richly through the New Testament : such as First Corinthians, 
chapter xiii, from the 4th verse to the end ; also, Ephesians, 
chapter iii, from the 6th verse to the end ; also, Second Thes- 
salonians, chapter v, from the 16th verse to the 24th inclusive. 
Though most of these are rather in the language of prayer and 
exhortation than promises, yet it alters not the case, as we are 
morally certain the apostle would neither have exhorted those 
to whom he wrote to do these things, nor have prayed for them 
himself, if they were not to be obtained. Nay, he expressly 
says, at the 24th verse of the last reference: "Faithful is he 
that calleth you, ivho also will do it.'''' What will he do? He 
will sanctify wholly ; he will fill with that perfect love that casteth 
out all fear. And all this will sink the creature to the dust, 
feeling as well as seeing, we are nothing, and that Christ is all 
in all. None prize a Saviour as do these humble souls ; they 
feel they can do nothing without him, 

" Weaker than a bruised reed, 
Help they every moment need." 

They are taught to live every moment by faith upon him; not 
as an abstracted speculative principle, but by a faith that brings 
deep peace and present power. O my God, let me, for thy 
name's sake, enjoy much of this full salvation, that stands so 
closely connected with poverty of spirit ; with humble love, that 
gives the glory of all to thee. 

After this long digression, I go on to say : On Tuesday morn- 
ing, I had a delightful time in secret, from the views given me 
of the great things Christ has purchased for his people ; and 
freely bestows on those who, Abrahamlike, stagger not at the 
promises through unbelief, but become strong in faith, and thus 



354 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

receive their accomplishment. I prove the great utility of living 
by simple faith, even in my small measure. It brings the soul 
to a throne of grace, as a child to an indulgent parent : not with 
a price in hand, but pleading only its own necessities — and to 
insure a supply, the merits of Jesus ; who, by his meritorious 
sufferings, has purchased every blessing his people can want ; well 
aware that this alone can turn the scale in its favour. Lord, in- 
crease my faith, that I may glorify thee by receiving all thou waitest 
to give. On Thursday the Lord was present to teach and com- 
fort us, when met for the purpose of praise, prayer, and Christian 
conference, as those of old ; and at night, in secret prayer, I was 
enabled to plead for more grace, deeply conscious of my short- 
comings, and saw both the willingness of my God to bestow, and 
the value of the blessings I asked. Lord, answer speedily. Have 
still been enabled to retain a measure of the blessing bestowed at 
the Lord's supper, as formerly mentioned. Yet I have been of 
late much and variously exercised in mind on many accounts ; and 
have had some severe trials to encounter : yet, if competent to 
judge, I feel more desirous of power to glorify my gracious God, 
by living in his will, than to be delivered from them. He knows 
what is best for me, and has ever been good to me in all his dispen- 
sations ; therefore, I still endeavour in all to say, "Thy will be 
done ;" and also in all to trust in him. I do find it good so to 
do ; though yet many petitions, frequently and fervently put up, 
remain unanswered. 

April 6. (Friday.) Still I walk in darkness, and have no light 
in point of providential dispensations ; but this I must qualify so 
far as to say it is only as to particulars. The Lord has, I think, 
given reason to believe, in general, judgments will overtake our 
guilty land : but as to the precise time, the manner, the weight, 
the duration, I am altogether ignorant. How far either church 
or state will be affected by them, I know not ; or what the final 
result will be, except that they will be followed by great days of 
the gospel.* O God, thou art a God of mercy! Judgment is 
thy strange work ; therefore I look up to thee. I can trust in 
thee in the time of trouble : thou hast given me good cause so 
to do. Yet, Lord, my heart trembles within me, and I am afraid 
of thy just judgments. Just they will be, come when they will. 
My inmost soul keenly feels the wonderful length and depth of 
thy mercy in sparing me so long. O that it may be sanctified to 
saints and sinners. f 

* This seems almost prophetic. Thank God, we live to see those days. 
11 O Jesus, ride on till all be subdued." 

f These were not the apprehensions of a weak and timorous mind. 
Such was the general alarm, that the voluntary contributions for the sup- 
port of the British government against the threatened French invasion, 
amounted this year to upward of two millions and a half sterling, beside 
£139,332 15a. 2d. remitted from British residents at Bengal. — Vide Aspin's 
Ana. of Universal History, vol. i, p. 169. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 



355 



With respect to the state of my own mind these eight days, 
I have had no very remarkable manifestations of divine love, or 
visitations of severe trial. I have experienced sweet renewals 
of the blessing bestowed some weeks ago, at a sacramental oc- 
casion ; some comfortable seasons at a throne of grace, in secret ; 
and found that simple faith in Jesus, in time of trial, with prayer, 
has power with God. I have for many years viewed it my chief 
end to glorify God, and proved it my chief happiness to enjoy 
him. These views, of late, seem to grow brighter and more 
impressive : the will of God more precious. I seem to sink 
deeper into it ; am made willing to embrace it more uniformly 
and more universally than ever. I feel not only unwilling to 
choose for myself, but quite inadequate to the task of deciding 
what is best, and, therefore, esteem it a great privilege to have 
my God to choose for me in all things. Blessed Lord, carry 
forward thy work in me with a more marked progress. All my 
soul cries out for this : and all the powers of darkness unite to 
prevent it : but the God of salvation is above them all. 

May 12. (Friday.) Still my God is doing his needy creature 
good. In the course of these last eight days I have been fa- 
voured with many opportunities of entering the house of the 
Lord : during the dispensation of the word and sacrament in 
Edinburgh and its vicinity. On the last day I looked and prayed 
for a spirit of holy mourning for myself and others : but my God 
gave me much sweet enjoyment of himself during a discourse 
from, " Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh unto you." 
I felt sinking into Jehovah, — losing myself in him ; in the pos- 
session of holy, solemn, sweet fellowship with Deity. O the 
wonderful condescension of the Most High, for his Son's sake ! 
This is the meritorious cause of all our mercies. Eternal praise 
unto him as the great source of all present blessings and future 
prospects. On the great day of the feast my heart was greatly 
lifted up in the ways of the Lord, and my hands made strong by 
the mighty God of Jacob. I felt surrounded with such an irre- 
sistible flood of meridian evidence for eternal happiness as was 
pleasing to experience ; yet felt a holy shame : deeply conscious 
how unworthy I was of it. O that my God may be glorified in 
every instance of his goodness to his poor creature, by giving me 
to feel much of its transforming influence. For a day or two 
after my happiness did not increase. I was rather called to lis- 
ten to divine teaching respecting greater victories over self, and 
more frequent and fervent addresses at a throne of grace. 
The former was attained ; the latter, I trust, will also be bestow- 
ed. During several days of last week the love of Jesus burned 
in my heart with a strong flame. I felt very zealous for, and 
jealous lest any should successfully attempt to rob him of any 
part of his glory, as Son of, and equal to, God the Father. My 
heart revolted with a holy indignation at every attempt so inju 



356 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

rious and vain : yet not so as to exclude prayer for such daring 
sinners. On Thursday my gracious God was sensibly present, 
with a few select ones, met for praise, prayer, and Christian 
converse. It felt a sacred hour. Truly it is often good for me 
and some others on these occasions to draw nigh unto God. This 
morning, agreeably to instruction from on high, self was con- 
quered ; yet, at secret prayer, I did not feel all that access I 
wished, neither that for which I looked ; yet possessed much de- 
sire for both. Soon after, in pleading with the Lord for three 
important things in particular, and entreating for an answer, I 
seemed to obtain it for two of them, in these words : " And ye 
shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread and 
thy water :" and much comfort respecting the third, from part 
of the 36th and 37th chapters of Isaiah, where Hezekiah 
cries to the Lord against the insults of the enemies of the Lord, 
and the threatened invasion of his lands by the king of Assyria, 
and by his general, Rabshakeh. Twice Isaiah was commis- 
sioned by the Lord to deliver most comfortable answers to his 
requests. I would lie low before the Lord on account of his 
goodness and my own unworthiness. He gave me much com- 
fort this day also from these words : " Call upon me and I will 
answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou 
knowest not :" also, " Behold, I will bring health and a cure ; 
and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance 
of peace and truth :" also, " Behold the days come, saith the 
Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have pro- 
mised unto the house of Israel, and to the house of Judah." 
Amen ; even so be it, as thou hast spoken unto thy dust and 



18. (Friday.) Still, through the tender mercies of my 

God, I have to record fresh proofs of his goodness, since the 
12th instant. On Tuesday last, when hearing my week-day 
school examined, (for the purpose of dismissing, with a Bible, 
and with prayer, praise, and much exhortation, nineteen scholars, 
fully taught, beside two more of one year's standing only, now 
put into the Orphan Hospital,) I felt very languid ; but on lifting 
up my request to the Hearer of prayer, that he would give me 
the souls of all the young ones present (forty-nine) for my hire, 
my God drew nigh, very nigh, and I felt filled with a reverential 
awe : a heaven of silent, holy love overspread my whole soul. 
Indescribable serenity, a deep, sweet sense of the divine pre- 
sence pierced my heart. O that my request may be given me. 
In the evening Jehovah again broke in with holy, sweet sur- 
prise, upon my whole soul, (though not engaged in any devo- 
tional exercise,) with all his softening power, and my heart felt 
filled with heavenly tenderness : yea, all dissolved in love. 0, 
what must the full fruition of Deity above be, when here below 
a drop, a degree of nearness, so captivates the soul : so arrests 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 357 

every power of the mind, that faith seems lost in enjoyment ! 
Blessed Lord, enlarge my capacity, and fill me with thy ful- 
ness. 

August 24. (Friday.) I have many mercies and privileges 
to acknowledge. The communion of particular saints has been 
sweet ; and of others, I trust, profitable ; as it led to much, very 
much prayer ; but still they are not my God. O how empty 
would every privilege be without his divine presence I this in- 
creases, greatly increases every temporal and spiritual privilege 
in point of enjoyment. The full fruition of Deity, Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost, one God, alone can satisfy the vast desires 
of my soul. This includes conformity wad continual fellowship ; 
and I believe the latter is in exact proportion to the former. In 
the nature of things it must be so. My soul pants after holiness 
on this account. let the almighty fiat go forth ! My God has 
so formed my spirit that I cannot be happy but in himself Mis- 
tress of the whole universe, what a poor, empty, miserable crea- 
ture should I be ! What an aching void should I feel without 
him ! Come, then, my God, fulfil my large desires, large as 
infinity. Give all my Jesus hath purchased : with not only in- 
clination, but power, to lay it out all for thee. 

October 26. (Friday.) Since last Friday I have been confined 
to the house, but yesterday I went abroad, and felt my Lord 
nigh, and his love increased in my soul : had also a sweet time 
in secret in the morning ; and at noon also, when with two of 
his ministering servants : they also were comforted. I have 
found my absence from the house of God painful, though at 
times have felt holy, sweet nearness to him. This is my ele- 
ment. But O, who that has tasted of this exquisite enjoyment 
but must pant for more. Surely this is congenial to the new 
creature, to the heaven-born soul : but the blessing of desire, 
even the most intense, is far short of possession. Come, then, O 
my God, and every moment fill my soul with thy pure love ; 
encompass with thy presence ; encircle in thy divine arms. O 
what is all the world calls great or good, what is all terrestrial 
happiness, when compared with the pure, the perfect love of 
God, that casteth out fear ; that, as it were, annihilates self. 
Then the soul feels lost in God, — blessed with inexpressible 
nearness to Jehovah, through the only medium, the Lord Jesus 
Christ. I have but lasted of this ; yet, blessed be God for a 
taste, which I trust is a prelude to the full enjoyment. At times, 
in the course of these eight days, the cup has felt bitter ; yet, I 
think the bitterest ingredient was feeling, to my own apprehen- 
sion, a want of power to glorify my God in the fires, as I wished. 
His will is very precious, and my feelings very quick ; the 
smallest deviation pains acutely. 

O the height and depth of divine mercy to our guilty land ! 
The poverty of human language prevents expressing what I 



358 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

feel, and what others should feel, on the present occasion. Just 
before the Brest fleet got to the Irish shore, with about 6,000 
troops, arms, ammunition, stores, clothing, and much money, to 
join the Irish rebels, our God interposed, and gave the whole 
into our hands, by Sir John Borlase Warren. Lord, to thee all 
glory is due ! Incline all to give it.* 

Dec. 28. (Friday.) The cup of blessing I have in a delight- 
ful degree been permitted to drink of since the 21st. My obli- 
gations to a God of love greatly increase : yet still I thirst for 
more. My desires are insatiable after the chief good. 0, who 
that loves his God, can love enough'? I feel much holy shame 
that I come so far behind. I loathe myself, and into nothing fall, 
when thus highly favoured from on high. These days past, 
especially at times, my nearness to Deity I cannot express. 
One of these precious seasons I enjoyed yesterday, when em- 
ployed as I generally am on that day. Such an astonishing 
realizing of the divine presence, Father and Son, as made me 
amazed that faith itself could make so manifest those great 
realities to the eye of the mind. Human language can in no 
way express what the soul enjoys on these memorable occa- 
sions. Yet I am well aware that it is not the mere enjoyment, 
however exquisite, which ascertains their value, but their trans 
forming influence. For this I plead with the Hearer of prayer. 
O that I may prevail to the utmost ! then his great name shall be 
glorified, and my soul eternally profited ; and perhaps some of 
my fellow sinners or saints also ; for all things are possible with 
the Almighty. On Monday evening, in public, the divine arm 
was made bare in my behalf, both as to additional strength and 
comfort, and I clearly saw to whom I was indebted. On Tues- 
day morning, and this day early, I was highly favoured in secret 
prayer, with sweet access ; much liberty in pleading for all I 
wanted, and with soul-animating hopes of success. The word 
of God was indeed made food to me, especially particular pro- 
mises. what thanks are due ! But no degree of grace will 

* " This victory was highly important in its consequences, as it led to the 
final termination of the Irish rebellion — a rebellion bloody and abhorrent, 
and which had continued to rage with unrelenting fury for three months, 
in which more than thirty thousand lives were sacrificed, and property to 
the amount of upward of two millions sterling destroyed ; and which, 
after throwing the whole kingdom into indescribable confusion and dismay, 
overwhelmed the instigators in one common ruin. That the object of this 
deep-laid and extensive conspiracy was to imitate the example set by the 
people of Holland, and to erect Ireland into a republic, through the agency 
of France, cannot be doubted ; and had the French directory manifested as 
much promptitude in executing, as the original conspirators displayed 
ability in forming their plans, this revolutionary struggle might have ended 
in a measure which can never be sufficiently deprecated ; not only as tend- 
ing to the alienation of a large portion of the strength of the empire, but as 
an event involving its prosperity and independence." — Baine's History, 
b. ii, ch. ix, p. 249. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 359 

secure from temptation. I had soon after an attack from the 
wicked one. How soon should I be conquered, but for divine 
strength exerted in my weakness. My God has, indeed, answered 
my request for a blessing in the close of the year. May he still 
do greater things before it ends, and increase them as soon as 
1799 begins, and fully substantiate the hope he has given, and all 
the praise shall be his. 

TO MRS. JOHNSON. 

May 31, 1798. 

I bless the Lord, who put it into the heart of my respected 
friend in Jesus, to send me a few lines, which came to hand 
only yesterday, though under date of May 19. This morning I 
sensibly met your spirit at a throne of grace, and seemed sweetly 
to unite in worshipping the sacred Three. Perhaps your God 
will yet spare you a little longer for his church's sake. But why 
should I wish to detain you longer from entering into the joy of 
your Lord ] He makes you feel that though the earthly house 
fails, the immortal part waxes stronger and stronger. All 
shrinking will, I doubt not, be done away. It is owing to the 
weakness of the human frame ; while the soul mounts up, as on 
eagles' wings, to see and meet its Lord, and many kindred souls 
gone before. O glorious day ! I trust, through superabounding 
grace, to join you. What extremes now meet in your situation ! 
feeble and weak, yet the joy of the Lord your strength. He 
feeds the flame that shall never be extinguished : it shall burn 
brighter and brighter, till it mingles with the blaze of eternal 
day ; when you shall sink into Deity, — be lost and swallowed up 
in holy love, wonder, and praise. Your intense desire for a tri- 
umphant exit will surely be answered for the comfort and encou- 
ragement of those left behind. 

My God is still doing his needy creature good. Since my 
last I have been favoured with divine teaching, and with such 
intimate nearness to Jehovah as no language can express. It 
truly lays and keeps me in the dust. I loathe myself; in short, 
I find silence must convey my feelings on this part of my sub- 
ject, for words cannot. But my friend knows what I would say 
from her own knowledge of this part of Christian experience. I 
do find I would be the servant of all : but am unworthy of the 
ground on which I tread. I feel the universality of the fall : yet, 
astonishing, I am raised up, for Christ's sake, to union with 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jehovah teaches and enables me 
to pass through Jesus as the way to himself; and there I rest as 
in my centre ; and the deeper I sink here the less I appear in 
my own eyes, and prove extremes united. At times there are 
such views given of those great realities, only seen by faith, as 
must remain untold ; but they grow more impressive, and cause 
my heart to burn with holy, intense desire to possess the fulness 



360 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

of God. I cannot rest in any thing as yet bestowed. It seeins 
but a taste. In the select society, O how does Jehovah break in 
upon my soul ; and our class is more than ever owned and fa- 
voured with the sacred presence. All glory to Him to whom 
alone it belongs. I am ashamed to say so much ; you will not 
mistake me. But this letter is by far too tedious for your weak 
frame : yet must farther say, the goodness of my God to our 
guilty land so overpowers my frame as I cannot express. I 
seem to feel the sins of all, and blush and grieve for them before 
a God of love. 

Peace, love, joy, and abounding grace be with my friend on 
earth, and, at last, a joyous entrance into glory be ministered unto 
her happy spirit, prays her fdlow pilgrim in the Lord Jesus, 

D. M. 

P. S. If strength be given to send another line, it will be a 
particular favour. If not, from one of your meeting. Farewell ! 

D. Maxwell. 

TO MRS. JOHNSON. 

July 11, 1798. 
My much respected and highly favoured friend's letter afforded 
sacred satisfaction. We would join in calling upon our souls, 
and all that is within us, to magnify and bless the God of grace 
and consolation, for his gracious dealings with his people in 
general, and with us in particular. But 0, 

" What angel tongue can tell, 
His love immense, unsearchable ?" 

We have tasted of it, blessed be his name ; and through mercy 
are hastening to the full enjoyment : the Lord enlarge our re- 
ceptive powers, widen our capacities, and fill us full ; not merely 
for our own happiness, but that we may glorify him to the utmost 
while on earth, and be thus fitted for the fullest enjoyment of 
Deity in eternity. My soul burns daily with increasing desire 
to glorify my God ; to sink into him, and live in his will. I see 
this as affording the most exquisitely pure enjoyment, even in 
this world, where we are surrounded with innumerable weak- 
nesses, necessarily connected with our fallen natures. What 
must it be above, w T hen all these are done away ? when that 
which is perfect is come ? We are lost in the inquiry ! Sweet, 
inexpressibly so, have been my spiritual enjoyments since I last 
wrote. I seem to get nearer to Jehovah ; and with that, such 
opening rays of glory — such views as I can nowise express or 
explain ! O, how does he bear with me ! And, when I plead 
for his immediate presence, especially with one or more persons 
that I wish to profit, he condescends instantly to draw near. Of 
late I have been more highly favoured in this way than those 
with me. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 361 

We have had a Mr. S., of C, fellow of the college, (a most 
approved clergyman, and heavenly devoted soul,) preaching here 
for some weeks to crowded audiences. In all my interviews 
with him, whether alone or with others, more especially the 
former, my mouth hath been wonderfully opened to speak of the 
deep things of God : while the Most High witnessed to the truth, 
by his presence with both of us ; and my heart, from sweet ex- 
perience, corroborated the evidence. I do not know that I ever 
met with one, except among the Methodists, that received with 
such evident delight what I said on the subject ; or with whom 
I found equal liberty. At times his heart seemed all on fire to 
seize the perfect bliss, with much present enjoyment ; at others 
he was dissolved in tears, feeling his poverty and unworthi- 
ness. I would hope the Lord is to do great things for and 
by him. 

With all this goodness shown me, I am kept little and mean 
in my own eyes ; made deeply sensible of many weaknesses ; 
of my utter unworthiness ; so as to stand astonished that a holy 
God can love me, or even bear with me : but am, with my friend, 
taught to keep these things mostly to myself, well knowing they 
would be perhaps hurtful to others ; yea, a stumbling. 

Your obligations are great indeed : a patient bearing in silence 
your infirmities will bring glory to your God, add to the triumph 
of grace here, and to the enhancement of glory hereafter. Am 
refreshed with the accounts of your aged friend, and would press 
after her. You will yet triumph more. There is a glorious 
work going on. Farewell, highly favoured soul. Through 
abounding grace I hope to meet you in glory ! till then, let us 
help each other, and press through and over every seeming 
hinderance. Help, O our God, and thine shall be the glory, 
willingly ascribed by D. M. 3 and E. J., for ever. 

D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXXIV.— 1799. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 

April 5. Through mercy I still live, and am able to testify 
of the great goodness of my God and Saviour. On Sabbath 
morning, the 31st of March, soon after public worship began, 
especially during the first prayer, I felt much engaged with the 
Lord. My whole soul flowed out in strong desire for some pecu- 
liar blessing, of which 1 stood much in need. While the speaker 
expounded from the first five verses of tfie second chapter of 
Revelation, especially the fourth verse, where the Lord Jesus, 
after mentioning his knowledge and approbation of what was 
16 



362 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

still good in the church of Ephesus, charges them with having 
left their first love ; I felt involuntarily led to examine myself 
on this head, as in the presence of God, and thought I found some 
reason to conclude I had not. Yet, fearing to trust my own con- 
clusions in such an important matter, I begged the Lord to let 
me know, from himself how that solemn business stood. In a 
moment or two, these words seemed spoken to my heart, by the 
Lord Jesus : — " woman, greatly beloved, fear not." Dreading 
delusion, I feared to receive them, but still they were repeated 
again and again, with such power, and accompanied with so much 
love, I durst not reject them. With them I seemed also to ob- 
tain such an additional hold of Jesus, as I can by no means 
express. Many powerful renewals of this gracious visit I was 
favoured with, through that and the following day, and with each 
a heaven of love filled my heart, and, I trust, was not unfelt : 
especially on Monday evening, I was lost in wonder, love, and 
astonishment, that the adorable Saviour should so condescend to 
a poor unworthy creature. It is mystery all ! O who can fathom 
the depth of redeeming love ! Almost every day this week I 
have proved some of his goodness. O that it may be permanent, 
and, by sovereign aid, purifying ! and also a continual stimulus 
to activity and zeal in the cause and ways of my God. I see, 
I feel, how short I am ; but in a moment he can work a great 
work. Come, Lord Jesus, and lay every aspiring mountain low ; 
and reign the Lord of every motion of my heart. How willingly 
shall I obey. 

May 24. I feel more of a spirit of prayer : I see more of the 
loveliness of Jesus ; of his immense value ; of the heaven there 
is in his love. Had I ten thousand worlds, how willingly would 
I give them all to feel my heart brimful of his pure love ; to 
have him reigning in it ; occupying all space ; bringing every 
thought into captivity to himself. Surely, Lord, these insatiable 
desires must be from on high. Wilt not thou, then, fulfil them ? 
Come, O my God, and not only do this, but " do exceedingly 
above all I can ask or think :" for how limited my petitions-w-how 
scanty my thoughts ! Since the 17th my comforts have not been 
so rich and strong as often they are ; yet have cause to be thank- 
ful for many mercies. On Monday evening, at the prayer 
meeting, the Lord seemed to shine on his work in my soul, so 
as to cause me to think he had done more for me than of which 
I am always sensible. It is only in his light we can see and 
know the things freely given us of him. On Tuesday, Wednes- 
day, and Thursday, he gave me repeated opportunities for the 
spiritual benefit of my fellow creatures, especially in the higher 
walks of life. I omitted last week mentioning a large opportu- 
nity given me, that occurs only annually : the examination of my 
week-day school in Edinburgh ; united with prayer, praise, and 
a most appropriate exhortation to the scholars then dismissed, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 363 

fully taught. They receive each a Bible, with their name upon 
it, and a single weighty sentence marked under it, as pronounced 
by the minister, who delivers it ; also, an address is given to 
those scholars who are then to enter, and to those that remain. 
About sixty children were present, beside grown people. My 
God, give me the souls of all that have been, are now, or ever 
shall be in that school. O that I may meet them all on the right 
hand, at the great day of decision ! They noic amount to four 
hundred and eighty-nine. My God I found sweetly present 
w T ith us. On Thursday, as usual, he condescended to meet with 
us of a truth, and renewed my strength, exhausted before by two 
hours' close conversation with one who seems to be athirst for 
present salvation — for living whol]y for and with God. Blessed 
Lord, let none turn her out of the way : help her to press on in 
the good way. Though weakness itself, yet, gracious God, put thy 
words in my mouth on every such occasion ; then, speaking under 
an unction from on high, it shall be in the demonstration of the 
Spirit and with power. I long to be more useful. Indulgent 
Lord, grant my request ; and take the glory of all, and make me 
more thankful for thy past goodness. On Wednesday evening, 
my God was, in straits, a present aid. Supposing danger was 
nigh, I felt desirous to shun it, and cried unto the Lord, who, in 
a moment, sent these words with sweetness, and a degree of 
power, so as to calm my fears, and enable me to adore his good- 
ness : " What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee." O 
to be more grateful. 

July 5. My Christian experience for these eight days past is 
very similar to the preceding week — nothing worthy of remark. 
Only upon the whole, I find myself strengthened for duty in body 
and mind, and fitted for what I was called to. On Monday 
morning, in secret prayer, the Lord corrected a mistake I have 
sometimes of late made, in pressing after every new-covenant 
blessing, namely, allowing a vehement desire after what I have 
not yet attained, to make me overlook what I had, through 
mercy, obtained ; thereby lessening present enjoyment, and en- 
gendering a degree of impatience. My God shows me, as he 
has done formerly, the most excellent way is, that, while pleading 
in a meek and patient spirit, faith must be exercised ; the heart 
opened for present reception : believing the Lord is willing now 
to give, for Christ's sake, what is asked. Attempting this, I 
quickly found an increase. Jesus was ready to enter, and did 
pour himself into my heart. In the evening, at the prayer 
meeting, I found the Lord owning me much ; blessing me with 
sweet consciousness of his presence, which greatly increased 
when a select few were speaking of his dealings with their 
souls, as Christian prudence directed. Here, indeed, he seemed 
to bow the heavens and come down ; the mountains, as it were, 
flowed down at his presence ; my views of Father, Son, and 



364 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Holy Ghost, were clear and impressive. I felt filled with won- 
der and love ; yea, with what mortal language cannot express. 
Surely it was a taste of heaven ; and I bless the Father of mer- 
cies it has often been renewed since ; or I may rather say con- 
tinued with me. It was a meal, in the strength of which I have 
made many exertions. O my God, grant it may be the beginning 
of greater things than ever : I pant for a largei sphere of use- 
fulness : I would be ever either getting or doing good ; I would, 
but thou must give the power. On Wednesday evening, though 
in company, I had a sweet renewal of the blessing ; aiming at 
faithfulness for my God, he owned and helped me : but much 
more so on Thursday noon, when with a few of those that love 
and enjoy him, and preach the gospel of Christ, who were met 
expecting his presence ; and of a truth he more than realized 
our expectations. What in his love possessed we not 1 There 
seemed a heaven without, and a heaven within ; but still the 
poverty of human language lays an embargo on my pen ; but 
sweet, inexpressibly sweet, as these wonderful visitations are, it 
is their transforming influence I chiefly value. Give me this, 
O my God, then shall I glorify thee, in the reception of thy 
favours ; here I feel painfully short ; pity and save. 

26. Since last date, my God has been good in various 

ways. On Sabbath, found it good to wait on him, and profitable 
to others. On Monday evening in public the Lord exceeded my 
expectations, blessed be his holy name. On Wednesday, from 
home, he helped me to great exertion : was assailed with keen 
temptation, but the adversary was rebuked, and I was kept in 
peace. On Thursday, was carried through much ; felt a door 
of utterance given me, for the benefit of a female disciple in 
high life, desirous of being all the Lord would have her. Speak, 
holy Father, to her heart, and let her prove thou didst put " thy 
words in my mouth," according to thy promise : therefore, she 
felt them. Just after, joined with two ministering servants of 
Christ in prayer, praise, and Christian conversation : and truly 
it was a Bethel indeed. O the wonderful condescension of 
Jehovah. Was afterward helped to profitable conversation, with 
power to confess my God before others ; and, in the evening, 
had the privilege of attending a public prayer meeting. O Lord, 
pour a greater spirit of prayer upon all thy people. 

This week, found my feelings harrowed up by reading me- 
moirs illustrating the history of Jacobinism, by the Abbe Barruel. 
This work developes such dreadful hellish tenets, principles, 
plots, and practices, as must shock, not only Christians of every 
denomination, but every person, Deists, Avians, Socinians ; yea, 
every creature that is not wholly under satanic influence, I may 
say, judicial blindness and hardness of heart. These deluded 
men, with their horrid devices, go to annihilate every law, 
human and divine ; to break every social tie ; to deny, not only 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 365 

revelation, but even the very existence of Deity ; and to make 
every crime, even the most atrocious, not only innocent, but 
meritorious ; if it only contributes to accomplish the ends they 
have in view. This is what they term, illuminizing the whole 
world, by restoring man to original perfection : a perfection 
which requires no governments of any kind, nor any property, 
nor any subordination^ How lamentable to think that these 
dreadful principles have taken root in almost every part of the 
known world, by the unabating vigilance of their abettors, who 
have recourse to every stratagem that the devil can suggest, or 
the wicked heart of fallen man devise, in order to promote their 
universal spread among every class of human beings ; from the 
king on the throne, to the meanest subject. O blessed God, 
counteract the hellish poison, by an equal dissemination of the 
pure truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thou art above all 
in power and goodness. let not our island fall a prey to these 
devourers of mankind. We deserve it, but in mercy spare. 
Multitudes of them are among us in disguise. 

In reading this shocking account, how sweetly nigh did the 
adorable Saviour draw to me ! how clearly did he shine on my 
soul ! It is impossible to express what I felt in him. I saw a 
glorious antidote against all evil ; the Healer of mankind ; the 
comfort of his people ; and their portion through all eternity. 
We would rejoice that all this is promised, and that vigorous 
attempts are now making for the accomplishment of it. - 

August 23. For these eight days past, my spiritual enjoyments 
have not been so great. While in the body, our frames will 
and must vary, even from natural causes. He that made us 
knows this. But still I have cause to praise my God, for many 
mercies since my last date. His will is very precious. I feel 
much satisfaction in committing my ways to him ; in asking 
direction from him ; and he gives me to feel it is not in vain to 
trust in him. Of this I have had a fresh proof within these few 
days. Yesterday he made all present delightfully sensible of his 
special presence, while engaged in prayer, praise, &c. But I 
want to get nearer Jehovah, who is the centre of my soul, I hope 
I may say, my God and my all, in a low degree : at least, I am 
kept keenly sensible of my shortcomings, and strongly desirous 
of being all that grace can make me. Have been much detained 
from the means of grace by bodily weakness and other causes, 
which grieved me. A gracious God is carrying on his work 
remarkably in different places. Lord, increase it greatly, and O 
be more powerfully with and among us. Still, holy Father, thou 
art doing wonderful things as to public matters. O the height 
and depth of thy goodness ; it is indeed past finding out. But 
still I tremble, lest by our ingratitude we force thee to punish us in 
one way or another. My heart powerfully feels thy astonishing 
mercy to our guilty island, and I as deeply feel our returns are 



366 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

not what they ought to be. Help, Lord, for the glory of thy 
name ; and pour out thy Spirit upon us, that a visible change 
may take place upon us as a people. 

September 27. Since last date, my intercourse with the Son 
of God and the Saviour of my soul has been peculiarly near 
and sweet ; and I trust I may freely say profitable to myself, 
and I would hope to others. On Lor^s day morning, early in 
secret at a throne of grace, my Jesus said, " Whatsoever ye ask 
in my name, it shall be done unto you." I felt sweetly surprised 
with his great condescension, and wished much to improve the 
gracious promise for others, as well as myself. Numbers of in- 
dividuals crowded in upon my mind, as if pleading to be remem- 
bered, which I felt most willing to do, and had great liberty in 
attempting it ; yea, my heart felt so enlarged in the duty, that I 
wished, had it been possible, to have brought the whole world, 
and laid them down at the Redeemer's feet ; and to have spent 
days and nights in pleading for them, had the necessities of the 
mortal frame permitted. Soon after, when ruminating on the 
wonderful interview with which I had been favoured, Jesus again 
spoke and said, " Ask what you will and it shall be given." Here 
astonishment and love rilled my whole soul, while I cried might- 
ily for the prosperity of Zion. In the house of God, soon after, 
my heart was lifted up to the Hearer of prayer, in behalf of all 
he brought before me. Monday and Tuesday, had sweet re- 
newals of the promise ; yea, the simple recalling of the gracious 
words brought instant comfort and much sweetness, with strong 
desires to pray without ceasing. But quickly the combined 
powers of darkness attacked me, which surprised me greatly, 
supposing I had only to ask and receive. I cried to the Lord 
all Wednesday and Thursday morning, that he would answer for 
himself, if it were he that had spoken ; (for the adversary slily, 
yea, strongly insinuated that it was not ;) and Jesus again greatly 
comforted me, and confirmed my soul in the sweet belief it was 
indeed himself, and that he would do as he had spoken ; but the 
time when he left with himself, and to me it is given to pray and 
wait. On Thursday, as usual, we were visited with the divine 
presence remarkably. Blessed Lord, come quickly, and grant 
me all I have asked for myself and for others ; and let mine eyes 
see the prosperity of thy Zion. 

December 20. These last eight days, as the former, have been 
marked with fresh proofs of the loving kindness of Him who is 
rich in mercy to his people, by most sweet and sensible visits 
from on high, in public and in private ; in the house of prayer, 
and in my own habitation. These are exhilarating to the human 
mind, and raise it above all sublunary things. They open a new 
world, realized by faith, wherein dwelleth righteousness : a world 
of angels, and of the spirits of just men made perfect ; but above 
all, the Lord our righteousness abideth there ; God the Father, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 367 

Son, and Holy Ghost; and the Christian is enabled to feel, 
through mercy, the power of this world to come. But O, to get 
nearer to my God, to my adorable Saviour, while here below. 

to get fully possessed of all that I see is purchased by the 
Friend of sinners : how far from this : speak, Lord, and it shall be 
done. One word, one touch, yea, one look from thee, will accom- 
plish it. O give these bold acts of faith that lay full hold of thy 
mighty power, by which thou destroyest the works of Satan. Fill 
my heart with thy pure iove, and make it the continual abode of 
thy Spirit : say, " I will — be it so." Amen, Lord, so let it be. 

TO MISS RITCHIE. 

February, 1799. 
Dear Miss Ritchie's letter would not have remained so long 
unanswered, but that I did not feel liberty to give up to the in- 
spection of any one letters in which my worthy friend had laid 
open her inmost soul without any reserve. In a recent perusal 

1 have found them so profitable as has, after much prayer, de- 
termined me to send them. I beg they may be kept by Miss 
Ritchie till I determine the mode of their return. I have none 
of an older date than 1789 ; and in several of them only the day 
of the month is mentioned ; which leads me to conclude they 
will not answer the end intended by Miss Ritchie, or the friends 
that request them. They are indeed valuable, but too particular 
to be made public ; and so overrate my poor epistles, that I feel 
hurt with the idea of any but myself looking into them I have 
made a few, but very few, erasures. If the end intended can 
be answered by Miss Ritchie's perusal alone, it would be well. 

I feel my loss ; such a praying friend, and deeply experienced 
Christian, is rarely to be met with. But thanks, eternal thanks, 
to the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation, who has 
taught, and does permit me, to come to the fountain. Of late, 
he has brought me near to himself. I hope I may venture to 
say my prospects widen, my experience deepens : I seem to sink 
deeper into Deity, and more than ever to lose my own will. I 
find the will of my God so precious, I hardly know how to form 
a petition but " Thy will be done;" and he is so indulgent, so 
tender to me, as no language can express better than the 2d and 
3d verses of the 27th chapter of Isaiah. For a considerable 
time past my fellowship with the Father and Son has been sensi- 
bly increasing ; and, through mercy, I can also say so has po- 
verty of spirit. My soul lies humble in the dust before Jehovah 
as a mere nothing. Set he gives me clearly to perceive the 
dignity to which he has raised me, by such holy nearness to, and 
divine communion with, the sacred Three. Of late I have been 
favoured with a more clear, satisfactory, and impressive view of 
the personality of the Holy Spirit than for some time past : 



368 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

such a powerful notice on my mind of his dignity, divinity, and 
equality with the Father and the Son, as I cannot express ; of 
his good will to man ; and of the great and important part he 
takes in the salvation of sinners, by all his diversified operations : 
preparing their mind to receive, and actually applying, every 
new-covenant blessing, so dearly purchased by the Lord Jesus; 
but freely bestowed upon penitent sinners. These are precious 
manifestations ; but I am aware it is not merely enjoyment, how- 
ever exquisite, that ascertains their value, but their transfoi-m- 
ing influence. May my God give me to prove this to its greatest 
extent. 

I hope Mrs. Johnson's manuscripts will appear to advantage. 
I trust they are left in hands able, under the divine influence, to 
make a judicious selection. Miss Ritchie will accept of my 
thanks for her letter, though the notification was painful. This 
I send by post ; the packet will be despatched this week as 
directed. I hope unity prevails, and that the work of God pros- 
pers in Bristol. I am Miss Ritchie's well wisher in the Lord. 

D. Maxwell. 

TO MISS RITCHIE. 

December 3, 1799. 
I feel for dear Miss Ritchie's severe trials, but believe it is 
her privilege to rise above the painful dispensation ; and with 
heartfelt resignation to say, " It is the doing of my God, whose 
will is so precious to me I cannot choose ;" yet, at the same time, 
I tenderly feel her loss. Apathy is no friend to religion : but it 
is in the nature of divine love to rise superior to whatever would 
press it down ; it must be above, it is a noble, generous princi- 
ple. May this pure love flow in copious streams through our 
souls, and daily increase. Speaking after the manner of men, it 
is indeed a severe stroke to the society ; but I see it is such an 
easy matter for the Lord, who loves his people, fully and quickly 
to supply the vacancy, that I am not permitted to dwell upon it. 
God is lave : what an endearing character ! I seem to see and 
feel that all things may be obtained by prayer, which are for the 
glory of God and the real good of those that belong to him, 
whether as individuals or as a collective body. Some weeks 
ago Jesus said to me, when at a throne of grace, " Whatsoever 
you ask in my name, it shall be done unto you." These words 
seemed to set fire to my soul : multitudes were set before me for 
whom to pray ; and I would have grasped the whole world of 
sinners, and brought them to the dear Redeemer. Soon after 
this, when meditating upon the wonderful condescension of my 
Lord, in speaking thus graciously and familiarly to his dust and 
ashes, he again drew nigh, and said, " Yea, ask what you will, 
and it shall be given." I felt lost and swallowed up in wonder, 
love, and praise. No language can express my feelings ; but 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 369 

from the holy nearness to Deity with which Miss Ritchie is 
favoured, she can suppose what they were. I endeavoured to 
improve the great latitude given me, and have often wished that 
the feeble body would have permitted my spending nights and 
days at a throne of grace. It has proved a strong stimulus to 
prayer ; and my condescending Lord has given many powerful 
renewals of the delightful manifestation, which adds fuel to the 
fire he has kindled. May every end designed by the Friend of 
sinners be answered by it. 

For many months I have been getting nearer to Jehovah. O 
what in my intercourse with him possess I not ! What holy, 
reverential awe ! what depths of love ! what glories open to my 
view ! Eternity alone can unfold the wonders of his love to me. 
Assist by your prayers, that I may be found faithful, fruitful, and 
more useful. 

The Edinburgh society is in a more promising state than 
usual. The class that meets in my house is become quite a 
Penuel. Deity is so present that all within each heart con- 
fesses a present God. Had time permitted, I would have given 
you a detail of my spiritual enjoyments, under the word preached 
last Lord's day by Mr. Henshaw : suffice it to say, it was not 
only the house of God, but the gate of heaven. Three of those 
with whom I meet in band are struggling to step into the liberty 
of God's people. Help them forward. I shall be pleased to 
hear that your grief is lost in love and praise : and your brother's 
place well filled up. Please give my Christian remembrance to 
Mr. and Mrs. Botts. In haste, I remain, with Christian regard, 
dear Miss Ritchie's friend in Jesus, D. Maxwell. 



CHAPTER XXXV.— 1800. 

Diary and correspondence continued. 
Jan. 3. My wishes, expectations, and prayers, for a remark- 
able visitation from my God, have not been so fully granted as I 
hoped for ; I mean, on the last day of the former, and the first 
day of this year. But upon every slight survey of the Lord's 
dealings with me, in the course of the preceding year, I may 
venture to say the scale of mercy has almost continually prepon- 
derated ; and I would hope, I may also add, I trust I have not lost 
ground, though I have much cause to blush that I have not 
gained more. When I consider the unwearied goodness of my 
God ; the astonishingly rich and numberless manifestations of 
divine love with which I have been favoured : the blessed times 
of nearness to Deity I have enjoyed ; the holy familiarity Jeho- 
vah has allowed me with himself; the sweet and sensible union 
I have enjoyed with the Lord Jesus Christ; the clear and 
16* 



370 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

impressive notice of future events given me respecting myself and 
others ; the precious, soul-animating words spoken to me by my 
adorable Lord and Saviour ; the wonderful effects produced by 
them on rny whole frame ; the force of them that still remains 
with me, with the sure belief of their full accomplishment ; the 
many exertions and appearances of my God for me, when tempt- 
ed, tried, and greatly troubled ; all excite my wonder and grief, 
that my progress heavenward has not been more evident. Blessed 
Father, forgive and pity thy poor child, who cannot forgive her- 
self; and who, to the present moment, pants to be all thou 
wouldst have her. I humbly thank and adore thee for all the 
rich mercies of the past year. May they, while I am spared, 
increase my power to make suitable returns for Christ's sake. 

March 7. Since the 9th of February I have been confined, 
but my God mixed mercy with the dispensation ; especially, in 
allowing me an unusual spirit of prayer, even when confined to 
bed. May He who gave it answer his Spirit's cry in my heart 
now, when he has seen meet to raise me up a^ain ; and give me 
to feel that, the painful visitation bringeth forth the peaceable 
fruits of righteousness ; as a proof I have, at least, been aiming 
at being properly exercised during its continuance. What help- 
less creatures are we without continual aid from on high at all 
times ; but particularly when in the furnace of affliction. Blessed 
God, make manifest thy mighty power in my weakness ; and let me 
feel thee ever nigh, and thus be solidly happy in thyself. Save, 

save me, to the utmost save; deliver from every desire that 
does not centre in thy will. 

May 9. Still my God forsakes not his needy creature, though 
unfaithful and unfruitful : blessed Lord, give a deeper sense of 
my infinite obligations, and greatly increase them. My mortal 
frame has, these eight days, rather impeded the lively exercises 
of the soul, and at times damped sensibly my vigour of mind; 
yet, through the good hand of my God upon me, I have had, and 
truly enjoyed, most delightful manifestations of divine love. On 
last Monday evening I felt, on entering the house of prayer, a 
universal damp overspread my soul ; I almost regretted I had come 
out ; but, soon after, my God and Saviour drew nigh, and gave 
me to enjoy a plenitude of the divine presence. In the morning 
of that day, while with those who I had reason to fear knew not 
the Lord, and admiring the beauties of nature, in her various 
productions, and her great exertions, the Lord Jesus in a moment 
manifested his presence, and instantly arrested all the attention 

1 was paying to the work of his hands, and fixed it on himself. 
Here all the affectionate powers of my soul centred. On Wednes- 
day morning, in secret, at a throne of grace, he also felt very 
nigh, made it a sweet time, and seemed to assure me he would 
be with me when attempting to call on the Father through him. 
Soon after, when employed in this delightful exercise, and sing- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 371 

ing his praise, with one of his ministering servants, v;e found it 
a Bethel indeed. God the Father and Son felt intimately nigh. 
Surely what the Lord gives at one time, he can give at all times. 
I was drawn out in strong desire that it might be so, in so far 
as humanity would permit. On Thursday in public, heard a pre- 
cious discourse from, "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." 
What was said entirely agreed with my own experience : it was 
a profitable time ; but in the evening I proved a painful reverse ; 
the corruptible body pressed down the soul. I could only lie, as 
a blank, in the hand of the Lord ; unable for any vigorous exer- 
tions. I looked to Jesus, and enjoyed a smile. O how precious is 
he to my soul. In the course of these eight days, I have seen most 
plainly the hand of the Lord made bare for me in several tem- 
poral concerns ; meeting with difficulties, I looked to him for 
direction and wisdom ; well knowing that without this I could 
accomplish nothing, and that the best way to get help from the 
creature was to apply to the Creator, and he literally answered 
me. I find not only in religious, but also in temporal things, he 
kindly condescends to my weaknesses, wants, and ignorance. 
For this reason it is, and must be, that I am carried through 
such multifarious business, most of which is far above my natu- 
ral abilities. I sensibly feel my own weakness, and it is well I 
do, as it carries me often to a throne of grace for wisdom and 
power, and as occasion calls, I obtain a small measure, sufficient 
for the time, and feel to whom I am indebted. He inclines me 
to give him all the glory. Happy are those whose God is the 
Lord. 

August 22. My God has shown great mercy since the 15th 
instant, many precious visits from on high. Last Friday, when 
much depressed, God the Father and Son drew graciously nigh, 
lifted up the hands that were hanging down, and confirmed the 
feeble knees. Blessed be his holy name. On Saturday, when 
meditating on divine things, Jesus broke in upon my soul, and 
gave a stronger testimony, by his Spirit, for sanctification, than 
for a considerable time past. On Sunday morning, I longed to 
go to the house of God.; and when there, felt a strong hungering 
and thirsting for all the new-covenant blessings, and expected 
great things; of which a good and gracious Lord, at the Mon- 
day evening prayer meeting, in some good measure made me 
taste. The adversary greatly withstood my going, but was con- 
quered ; and I was richly repaid by a profusion (if I may use the 
term) of the divine presence ; deep, intimate fellowship with 
the Father and Son ; which has continued with me in a mea- 
sure to the present moment. How deep my obligations to re- 
deeming love ! Lord, carry on thy work in my soul, and fill me 
with holy, bumble love. <> make me more faithful, more fruit- 
ful, and more insensible to the trials of life. On Wednesday, 
in the prospect of being from home, and with those that perhaps 



372 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

know little of experimental religion, I cried to the Lord to help 
me to be watchful, solemn, serious. I feared grieving, in any 
degree, my gracious God, and felt very poorly in body and spi- 
rit ; and O, how literally was I heard and assisted, so as to call 
forth gratitude anG< love. On Thursday, was unexpectedly tried 
in different ways, and especially by the want of the precious 
meeting of this day : but my God and Saviour w r as nigh, and this 
morning he has given me cause to praise him on my own account ; 
and also on that of others. Notwithstanding all this goodness, yet 
" still heavy is my heart — still sink my spirits down." Lord, 
I commit all my griefs and cares to thee ; raise me above 
them; let not the corruptible body press down the immortal 
soul. 

November 28. Since the 10th of October, I have, by the ap- 
pointment of Him whose tender mercies are over all his works, 
suffered much in body, from a long disorder ; with all its con- 
comitants — weakness of nerves and spirits, flatness of mind, &c, 
to which have been added various painful exercises ; yet mixed 
with many mercies, for which I would be grateful. 

December 5. Still my God continues, in a measure, to heal 
both soul and body, though slowly. He gives me sweetly to see 
his hand in many things daily, though not so much in the way 
of strong joy : yet I feel my God is with me, ordering all things 
for me — levelling mountains — making rough places plain — dis- 
appointing my fears often — frequently granting my desires, and 
giving more power and comfort in prayer ; but still I feel weak 
as helpless infancy. Lord, help me to trust more in thee. Years 
ago, the Lord promised me that I should not be careful in the 
year of drought or scarcity. That promise has, of late, often 
passed through my mind with a sweet consciousness that he is 
in these days of great scarcity preserving me from anxiety and 
sinful carefulness. He also is giving me clearly to see that he 
is doing as he promised many months ago, (when a little embar- 
rassed as to pecuniary matters, being disappointed where I ex- 
pected assistance,) that he himself would undertake my cause and 
help me ; and of a truth he has done it. I desire also, with gra- 
titude and humility, to record another proof of his goodness, 
yea, two, respecting the great temporal concern he hath com- 
mitted to me. 

26. By the good hand of my God upon me I am brought 

to the end of another eight days. I have reason to bless the 
Lord, that no remarkably distressing event has taken place in 
my family, or person, or connections. My health is rather bet- 
ter, and my desires after God and his fullest salvation are 
increasing. Yesterday, in our meeting, I enjoyed a sweet sense 
of the divine presence, so as to solemnize and tranquillize my 
mind ; I was favoured with an unexpected, impressive view of 
the sacred Trinity : — found all within confessing a present Deity. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 373 

Every thought, for the time, was brought into willing subjection. 
In the evening, endeavouring to trust in the Lord, in the pros- 
pect of a trial, I was not disappointed, but was helped to rise 
above the creature. Evermore, O God, may it be so, with re- 
spect to every person, place, and thing ; and be thou all in all to 
me. In secret, in social, and in family prayer, have found it 
good, since last date, to draw nigh to God ; but still, have not 
obtained all I asked, with respect to ending this year and begin- 
ning the next. Perhaps my God will come and leave a blessing ; 
but he has given me, in mercy, unexpected opportunities of assist- 
ing the poor, and also most unexpected assistance as to pecu- 
niary matters. O that it might be as the widow's barrel of meal 
and cruise of oil. I find much cause to grieve that I move so 
slowly in the good way, and do not improve, as I ought, all my 
advantages. Help, Lord, for the glory of thy name ; and come 
quickly, and grant my requests. 



TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. 

February, 1800. 

Rev. Sir, — I heard with regret, some little time ago, of your 
indisposition ; and now take an opportunity of expressing, with 
much sincerity, my Christian sympathy. This sickness, I hope, 
is not unto death, but for the glory of God, to whose cause, for 
many years, you have devoted, and not in vain, your time, 
strength, and talents. A rich reward, not of debt but of grace, 
awaits you. But if it is His will, who cannot err, I hope and 
pray it will be at a much later period that he shall dismiss you 
from your successful and happy toil. I am led to pray thus, for 
the sake of his people ; many of whom you have been the ho- 
noured instrument, not only of leading to the knowledge of salva- 
tion by the remission of sin ; but, likewise, of directing into the 
clear view and happy possession of that perfect love which 
excludes all tormenting tear. 

Having thus fed many, I trust you feel now, while in a state 
of weakness, your own soul richly replenished with copious 
streams of pure love, and are sinking deeper and deeper into 
Deity : that you are ripening apace for the granary above ; that 
heavenly country, where the inhabitants say not, they are sick; 
where faith is lost in sight, and hope in full fruition. Hail, 
auspicious day ! Till then, may our gracious God give us sweet 
foretastes of that perfect and eternal bliss. 

My God lays me, though unworthy, under deep obligations, by 
his tender, bountiful dealings with my soul. I remembe,? with 
gratitude the solid advantage I reaped from repeated conversa- 
tions with you, a great many years ago, upon the delightful 
subject of perfect love. I was then in the ardent pursuit of it, 
though far from being fully instructed respecting its nature. 



374 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Your views entirely coincided with mine ; and, by your valuable 
letters afterward, these views were made more impressive ; and, 
through the tender mercy of my God, I was enabled soon after 
to testify, from happy experience, the sovereign efficacy of the 
blood of Jesus. 

Since then I have much cause to praise him. He has con- 
siderably deepened my experience, and greatly extended my 
prospects, though yet I am very far short of the Christian stand- 
ard. At times I am so let into Jehovah, permitted so to sink 
into Deity, as I can by no words express. My enjoyment is 
exquisite ; but always guarded by a sacred awe. It is, indeed, 
a heaven of pure love, that lays the creature low, while yet 
every power of the soul seems expanded, and the whole heart 
enlarged, with keen desire, to grasp the Infinite. 

Lately I have been unusually indulged with clear, impressive 
views of the whole Godhead — Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
My perception of a trinity of persons, in the unity of essence, 
is so unclouded as mortal language would in vain attempt to 
express. This great mystery, I have often thought, is not a 
proper subject for disputation. The line of human reason is by 
far too short to sound its depth. How infinitely indebted, then, 
are we to a gracious God, who gives his people such a clear 
view and firm and cordial belief of the actual existence of these 
three sacred persons in the one individual Godhead. Though 
we cannot define the mode of this existence, yet we are sweetly 
and deeply conscious of the different characters and offices which 
they sustain in the salvation of man. " They sweetly all agree 
to save a world of sinners lost." This we know, and also 
experience. 

To my apprehension, my fellowship is sometimes with the 
Father alone ; at others, with the Son, and not seldom with 
Father, Son, and Spirit. How great the mystery of godliness ! 
O that I may be enabled fully to improve to the utmost this 
wonderful intercourse with Deity; aware that it is no farther 
useful than as it proves of an assimilating nature. 

It will give me real satisfaction to hear that Mr. Mather is 
gaining ground of his complaints, either by his own or a borrow- 
ed pen. With Christian wishes for his recovery, and farther 
usefulness in the church of Christ, I remain his sincere well 
wisher in the Lord Jesus Christ, D. Maxwell. 



TO MISS RITCHIE. 

July 3, 1800. 

I am sorry to see, by Miss Ritchie's kind letter, that I 

neglected to give any directions about the papers in her hands. 

Mr. Henshaw, who proposes going to conference, is the bearer 

of this, and is so good as to say he will bring them to Scotland 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 375 

when he returns. I am pleased to see that that arm which is 
full of power has raised you above the painful pressure caused 
by your brother's removal. Surely our God delighteth in the 
happiness of his children. " God is love." How deeply have 
I proved this, since my last to Miss Ritchie. My soul hath 
been fed as with marrow and fatness. Brought -sensibly nearer 
to Jehovah. I have had more of his fulness poured into my soul ; 
such deep intimate fellowship with him as no language can ex- 
press : yet no rapturous joy. My experience never runs in this 
channel. It is all (though exquisite enjoyment) a solemn, sacred 
awe, that, as it were, arrests all the powers of the mind, and 
keeps them as still as the grave before Jehovah ; it fills the soul 
with a holy, religious recollection, self-possession, strong inward 
attraction, and silence. The personality of the sacred Three 
continues clear, to my mind, as the noonday : views of the whole 
Godhead become more frequent, and more impressive ; — Jesus 
condescends to talk with me ; telling me that " whatever I ask 
in his name, it shall be done for me." He gives many powerful 
renewals of the life, and power, and comfort that attended these 
precious words when he first spoke them to my wondering soul. 
Many weeks after that memorable occasion, when I had no im- 
mediate expectation of hearing the voice of my heavenly shep- 
herd, though at the time I was earnestly requesting a promise 
respecting an affair I had much at heart, he broke in with sweet 
surprise, and said, " If I have said, Ask what you will, and it 
shall be done, what need of a promise ?■" Much prayer, since 
then, has ascended for the church of Christ, and many, yea, 
numberless individuals ; and I must conclude that whatever has 
been asked agreeably to his will shall be granted. All this good- 
ness of the Lord has not prevented, but rather provoked the 
malice of the adverse powers, who have done all they were per- 
mitted, to harass me ; but the name of the Lord is, I prove, a 
strong tower, to which I fly, and they dare not enter. 

I am pleased to hear that there has been a little revival of the 
work at Otley. We go on well here, upon the whole. The 
presence of the Lord prevails sensibly in the prayer meetings, 
which are numerous ; and he bears testimony to his word 
preached, and also to the dispensation of the sacrament of the 
supper ; but still more remarkably does he appear in our little 
class here, and in the select band. I am at present obliged, 
after repeated interruptions, to conclude. With good wishes for 
still greater prosperity to your soul, and success in all your 
labours of love, that the name of our God may be glorified from 
the rising to the setting sun, is the prayer of dear Miss Ritchie's 
fellow traveller to Zion, D. Maxwell. 



376 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

CHAPTER XXXVL— 1801-3. 

Lady Maxwell's experience attains a greater uniformity — Diary continued. 

We now enter upon the last ten years of Lady Maxwell's life. 
She continued, nearly to the end, to write in her diary as fre- 
quently and as largely as before ; nor, till within a few weeks 
of her discontinuing to write, does there appear any failure, 
either in her diction, or in the eligibility of her hand. But 
these years present such a pleasing uniformity of experience as 
to render it unnecessary to multiply extracts. In the few which 
have been selected, the editor has endeavoured, as much as 
possible, to seize every variation of feeling, of exercise, or en- 
joyment, as recorded by her ladyship. In will be seen that she 
had eminently attained establishment in grace — that she was 
rooted, grounded, and settled in love ; and happily found the 
work of righteousness to be peace, and the effect of righteous- 
ness, quietness and assurance for ever. In the course of these 
ten years, she frequently suffered from bodily indisposition ; but 
" patience had its perfect work ;" and as her " outward man 
decayed, her inward man was renewed day by day." The 
nearer she approached the heavenly world, she endeavoured to 
become more and more " meet for the inheritance among the 
saints in light," and was ever found waiting and watching for the 
coming of her Lord. Her love to God ; her zeal for his cause ; 
her compassion for souls; her efforts to serve the best interests 
of society, remained not only unabated, but, under the solemn 
impressions of coming eternity, appear to have gradually acquired 
new energies, until her dismission was signed, and she called to 
take possession of an eternal reward. To the end of her pil- 
grimage she acknowledged herself an unprofitable servant — an 
infinite debtor to free, unmerited grace : and her sole trust for 
final acceptance, and her only hope of eternal salvation, were 
founded on the atoning blood and all- prevalent intercession of 
Jesus Christ. His amazing condescension and love — his suitable 
ness and all-sufficiency — the freeness and fulness of his grace, 
had for years been the delightful themes of her praise ; and when 
she dropped mortality, it was to unite with the glorified spirits in 
the eternal anthem, " Unto him that loved us, and washed us from 
our sins in his blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God 
and his Father : to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." 

January 2. I bless the Father of mercies, my comforts have 
rather increased since last date. Had, on last Lord's day, the 
great privilege of entering the house of my God, and was ena- 
bled to attend without any uneasiness, either from the body, or 
the adversary of souls. My God is good : he often hears and 
answers my feeble petitions, offered up in his Son's name, though 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 377 

not always in faith. I had no particular blessing on the last day 
of the year, not being able to wrestle for it as usual till past 
twelve o'clock at night. But, in the morning, during secret 
prayer, my Jesus drew very nigh, and I was comforted ; yea, 
Father, Son, and Spirit felt with me ; and I endeavoured to im- 
prove the precious visit from on high. In our little meeting I 
most sensibly enjoyed a plenitude of the presence of the sacred 
Trinity. It was a most remarkable time ; all present felt the 
presence of Deity. It abode with me all the evening, though 
the enemy did all he could to prevent it ; and this day I still 
feel a measure of it, though not with so much joy. 

April 24. Unspeakably great has been the interposition of the 
Most High in behalf of Great Britain, according to gazetted 
accounts since last date. Lord, how wonderful is thy mercy to 
our guilty land ! Thou hast, in the most critical moment, re- 
moved by death another potentate perfectly hostile to the inte- 
rests of Great Britain, and by this stroke weakened the strength 
of those powers leagued with him and determined upon our de- 
struction. Now their purposes are broken off, thanks to a God 
of mercy. When, O Lord, we add to this extraordinary exer- 
tion of thy goodness the happy consequences of it, which are 
incalculable ; also, the great naval victory thou hast given us, for 
it is thy doing, over another northern kingdom, whereby they 
are brought low, and their designs defeated, what can we say, 
but that, as a people, we are utterly unworthy of all this kind- 
ness which thou hast made to pass before us. O, Father of mer- 
cies, sanctify it to us, and by thy grace deliver us as a people 
from our sins ! Turn us to thyself, by repentance and faith, 
that iniquity be not our ruin. Dispose all ranks among us to give 
thee the glory of all that has been done for us at this time. As 
an individual, my heart feels grateful to the Lord, and earnestly 
desirous it may be so, and that multitudes may be converted by 
mercies that threatened judgments have not reclaimed. 

August 21. Gardiner 's-hall. Since the 7th instant, have 
been in heaviness through manifold temptations. While in Edin- 
burgh my God gave me many precious times in private and pub- 
lic, and helped me through many unusual exertions. My spirit- 
ual enjoyments, since I came here, have greatly diminished, and 
fresh trials have occurred. I prove it a painful contrast. But 
shall I always receive good at the hand of the Lord, and never 
sec evil 1 Vain expectation. The latter, by his blessing, is often 
mercy in disguise. God is rich in goodness to his people ; and 
when, at any time, he afflicts, it is in very faithfulness. But he 
knows, when I prove him even at a partial distance, all nature 
wears a gloom : I can enjoy nothing. Come near, then, O holy 
Go<l and true, and ever keep me near to thyself. O Jesus, 
where thou art is heaven, and nowhere else ! Take full posses- 
sion of mc. what goodness has the Lord made to pass 



378 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

before me for many years past ! But especially of late years he has 
greatly disclosed to me the deep things of Deity, and given me 
a holy intimacy with unseen objects, Father, Son, and Holy Spi- 
rit. He has wrought out numberless deliverances for me ; yea, 
performed all things for me ; often exceeding my expectations, 
though enlarged. O that I could add, I have profited in propor- 
tion ! have grown up into Christ my living Head in all things. 
I blush to think how poor my progress. Speak, O my God, and 
it shall be so no more. 

September 11. Still the Lord condescends to bless with a 
measure of health, and has, in much mercy, fully and finally 
delivered me from a protracted and teasing business that has 
long tried me. It is his own doing, and to him be all the glory. 
In the course of a kind providence, and under, I trust, divine 
direction, I have been from home, for a short time, for health ; 
after precious promises given for a blessing by the way, and my 
God preserved and brought me home in peace, after some feeble 
attempts to do good on the road. On the day I came home I 
enjoyed a precious season from the gracious presence of Deity, 
while conversing with a minister, which has continued, and has 
been repeated : especially on last Lord's day morning in public, 
when, after much prayer and painful temptation, my God and 
Saviour felt wonderfully nigh, and my soul was filled with love 
divine, and holy sacred awe, which continued for some time. On 
Monday evening, in my way to the prayer meeting, my Jesus 
met me, and sweetly shed abroad his love in my heart ; and in 
the chapel, the gracious presence of Father and Son abounded, 
I felt surrounded with Deity ; filled with love and wonder ; per- 
mitted with favoured John, as it were, to lean by faith on the 
dear Redeemer's breast. O, adorable Jesus, how astonishing 
thy goodness and condescension to thy people ! O that I might 
prove more of the sanctifying influences of these blessed com- 
munications ! 

December 25. Still the scale of mercy preponderates in my 
soul. On Sabbath last, in the morning, in public, on entering 
the house of God I felt the heavenly attraction strong and sweet, 
especially in praise and prayer, under a discourse from the fourth 
verse of the third chapter of Ephesians : " When Christ shall 
appear," &c. I felt much engaged in prayer for both speaker 
and hearers, and my God heard and comforted me by communion 
with himself and his dear Son, and by sweet, impressive views 
of what was included in having Jesus as the life of the soul. 
And when the sure marks of true love to Christ were given, light 
from on high shone so clearly that I could easily read these 
characters within. Lord, make them much more conspicuous ! 
On Thursday, it was a precious season : Deity drew very near 
— my perception of the sacred Three was very clear — and my 
soul big with expectation of seeing greater things. Just after, 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 379 

enjoyed delightful conversation on the deep things of God. Lord 
help me to press on ! The increase of communion bestowed on 
Lord's day, still remains, and my mind feels stayed on God. 
Blessed Lord, what shall I say 1 ? Thou art good beyond expres- 
sion : yea, far beyond conception. 

March 12, 1802. How difficult to write or speak upon the 
deep things of God. Since the fifth instant, the goodness of my 
God has been great, beyond my pen to describe. On last Fri- 
day I felt truly in the Spirit ; the heavenly attraction was strong. 
On Saturday, ministering to the Lord's poor was my happy em- 
ployment. On Sabbath, with peculiar desire, I went to the house 
of prayer. During a discourse from the latter clause of the thir- 
teenth verse of the first chapter of Ephesians, " In whom also, 
after that ye believed ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of 
promise," I felt much engaged with my God for a particular 
blessing, not for myself only, but for the speaker and hearers 
also, and he condescended to be easily entreated, and did lite- 
rally answer. I had infinite cause to praise him. The sacred 
Three drew very nigh ; but more especially my fellowship was 
with God the Spirit more than ever formerly. O how much of 
the power of that divine Agent did I feel ! His energies were 
strong and very peculiar. I looked up, and asked to know 
what he was bestowing, and seemed to be answered, that he was 
sealing me as the peculiar property of Jehovah. I was so deep- 
ly engaged with the Holy Spirit, so intensely desirous to attend 
to his wondeful operations upon my mind, that every power and 
faculty felt upon the stretch. my God, make me faithful to 
the many favours bestowed ! 

July 2. The tender mercies of my God have neither been 
few nor small since last date. The cry of my heart has daily 
and hourly been to him for more grace — for all grace. The 
enemy has opposed and tried ; but God is above men and devils. 
How great the power of prayer ! How delightful to prove him 
the Hearer of it ! I cry unto him, and he, in much mercy, 
answereth, both as to temporal and spiritual mercies. I have 
been favoured with many sweet proofs of this the last week. 
How great my obligations ! I do feel them. He carries me 
through every difficulty. When persons, places, or things are 
necessary, he condescends to provide them ; when providential 
dispensations are rich and pleasing, he prevents me from taking 
too much complacency in them. I can truly say that the great- 
est, satisfaction I feel in them is, their bearing so evidently the 
divine signature. As I advance in the good way, my God in- 
creases my light, widens my prospects, and calls me to come up 
higher. Through mercy I do get sweetly near to him by the 
Lord Jesus, the only way ; and I desire no other. I prove 
him very precious : 1 dwell under the covert of this Rock, and 
am secure. O to drink deeper into his Spirit ! 



380 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

Oct. 29. Though confined almost constantly since last date, 
the 9th instant, it has yet been a season wherein I have had 
much cause for praise, unceasing praise. O how has the scale 
of divine love preponderated ! While afflicted in body, how has 
my God compassed me about with his gracious presence and 
precious promises ; not only for natural life, but also that my 
soul should prosper ; that my bodily complaints should be over- 
ruled for his glory, and I spared to be an ornament to his church. 
Amen. Lord, all things are possible to thee. O bless me with 
that degree of faith that smiles at impossibilities, and says, It 
shall be done. For some weeks past I have felt as if come, by 
faith, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, and to 
the spirits of just men made perfect. O to be able to praise my 
God as I wish : I would my every breath were prayer and praise. 
Speak, holy Father, and it shall be so. Yesterday, in conversa- 
tion with a Christian friend or two, the divine presence so filled 
the place, and also my soul, as is impossible to express. I adore 
the great meritorious Cause of these great privileges. O Lamb 
of God, what hast thou done for sinners ! Eternity alone can 
develope the great mystery of thy inexpressible love. While in 
the body how little are we capable of receiving. 

Dec. 17. Since the 8th instant my spiritual enjoyments have 
rather increased, as have also my bodily strength and spirits. 
During this tedious illness, I have been kept dreading too great 
attention to the body ; and have felt grateful, for some days past, 
to feel that I am gradually rising, by returning health, above 
these paltry concerns. I would always live in a spirit of sacri- 
fice. Still confined from the house of God, I feel my loss, and 
look forward with comfort to the enjoyment of that privilege. 
Of late have found secret prayer, and searching the Scriptures, 
sources of increasing comfort. Yesterday the Lord was sweetly 
present with me in the morning, and greatly comforted me 
through the channel of his word ; and also while joining a few 
Christian friends in prayer, praise, and Christian conference. 
Afterward, in company with a larger circle, with gratitude I 
would acknowledge the goodness of the Lord, in giving a greater 
power to speak of the deep things of God than I expected, con- 
sidering my present weakness. O that I might love him more. 
Speak, Lord, and it shall be so ; kindle a stronger flame of divine 
love than ever in my heart : ever keep it alive. 

Feb. 25, 1803. On taking up my pen, at this time, to make 
mention of the goodness of my God, I feel my heart going out 
after him, and all that degree of his fulness that the feeble powers 
of humanity can admit. O Lord, what is man that thou hast 
been so mindful of him ; made such ample, yea, superabounding 
provision for his eternal welfare ; and while in this vale of tears 
dost so graciously and so frequently give him to drink of the 
brook by the way ; whereby his head is lifted up, and a song of 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL, 381 

praise put in his mouth ? Thou dost, blessed Lord, greatly mag- 
nify the riches of thy grace in thy dealings with thy people : O 
for a heart to praise thee : O let my every word, thought, act, be 
praise. Detained last Lord's day from his house, which I felt a 
keen trial, but I was favoured with the most delightful medita- 
tions upon, and enjoyment by faith of, future glory. It is impos- 
sible to express the clear and powerfully impressive views I had 
of the Father and the Son, seated on the throne of glory; but I 
look for far greater things, as it respects conformity to the divine 
image. This my soul thirstethfor with vehement desire. Con- 
descend, holy Father, to fulfil these desires ; surely they are im- 
planted by thy Spirit. Enjoyed repeated opportunities, these 
days past, of endeavouring to do good to saints and sinners. 
Lord, thou canst bless the most inadequate means, and thereby 
render them effectual. On Thursday, felt rather cast down, 
from various natural causes ; I cried unto the Lord, who in ten- 
der compassion gave ear unto my supplications, and dealt most 
bountifully with me, and those present. He made it a time of 
great refreshing, by a plenitude of the divine presence. My 
whole soul felt deeply solemnized. The veil of the temple 
seemed to be rent, and access given to enter into the holy of 
holies. I feel truly unworthy of all his goodness. Blessed 
Jesus, it is bestowed for thy sake ; make and keep me humble. 
I feel, I bless God, I deeply feel my poverty ; mercies bestowed 
do not make me high minded. The higher I am raised by these 
frequent and precious manifestations, the deeper I seem to sink ; 
may it ever be so. 

May 27. The increase of, nearness to, and communion with 
Deity, with which I was favoured on Monday the 23d, through 
the goodness of my God, still continues, though the adversary 
has made various attempts to rob me of it. Yet I am con- 
strained to follow on ; I cannot rest in what is already bestowed. 
My views grow more extensive of the privileges of Christians, 
of that holy familiarity with Deity which Christ has purchased for 
them ; of those superior degrees of conformity to the divine 
image they may expect who through grace are determined to 
be all for God ; to seek and find their all in him. My feeble pen 
cannot describe all I see by faith on this subject ; I also sweetly 
taste of it. O that both may continue and increase. 

Sept. 23. The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Here is a 
solid source of consolation, amid all these shakings of the nations, 
these violent attempts for the subversion of all order and good 
government ; these subtle, various, and Satanical endeavours to 
destroy the belief of the truth as it is in Jesus; yea, to undeify 
the great Author of life and salvation ; and thereby, if possible, 
to rob the Christian of his well grounded hope of eternal happi- 
ness. How vain all these feeble attempts. " He that sitteth in 
the heavens shall laugh ; the Lord shall have them in derision; 



382 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

he shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces 
like a potter's vessel." The foundation Jehovah hath laid for 
the hope of his people standeth sure : the gates of hell shall 
never prevail against it. Lord, open the eyes of deluded sin- 
ners, before their feet stumble upon the dark mountains ; and 
may I praise thee now, and through all eternity, that thou hast 
opened mine, not only to see my danger, but to escape it ; and 
also allowed me such delightful communion and fellowship with 
the Father and the Son as still keeps me pressing on. Lord, 
quicken my pace. 



CHAPTER XXXVIL— 1804-7. 

Diary continued. 

January 27. Still the monument of sparing mercy, and still 
much cause given me to say, " Bless the Lord, my soul," for 
past and present favours. How grateful ought I to be. Last 
Lord's day morning, in secret, I was led to plead for much of the 
divine presence. In my way to the house of God, I looked up 
for the answer of prayer, and not in vain. The sacred Three 
drew divinely near ; and still nearer when singing the praises 
of my God. In public I seemed to get in spirit above all created 
good ; my soul soared beyond the skies. The subject under 
discussion afforded much profit and delight : the Lord shone 
gloriously upon my soul, and my spiritual enjoyment was exqui- 
site. I proved my union with the Lord Jesus inexpressibly 
intimate and close ; while my views of the Father and the Holy 
Spirit were as clear to the eye of faith as the sun in his meri- 
dian brightness, and at the same time most impressive : this 
continued for some days. 

May 25. I have been confined to the house with a severe 
cold, but had much cause to bless the Father of mercies that he 
gave me health to attend at the annual examination of my 
week-day school. 1 had the satisfaction of dismissing a goodly 
number of scholars well taught, and of putting into the hand of 
each that sacred volume which, with the blessing of the Lord," 
is able to make them wise to salvation. O God, seal the truth 
it contains upon each of their hearts ; and O, give thy peculiar 
countenance to those now received to supply their place. With- 
out this, all my attempts to profit my fellow creatures, whether 
old or young, will prove ineffectual. Encouraged by thy faithful 
word of promise, that I shall turn many to righteousness, how- 
ever unlikely, speaking after the manner of men, I desire to be 
found continually occupied in whatever has either a more imme- 
diate or remote tendency to effect this great purpose. Though 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 383 

prevented the use of the public means of grace this week, yet my 
God has been gracious ; he has been ever with me. Yesterday, 
he was unspeakably good during our little meeting. Some time 
before it, when looking up to him for his presence, a most solemn 
sense of eternal things rested upon my mind ; much sacred awe 
filled my breast ; and when engaged he gave me liberty to speak 
of the deep things of God, as felt in my own soul, and I trust 
under an unction from on high. How great my obligations ! 
How poor my returns ! 

September 28. I have reason to think that the work of grace 
in my soul is going forward. My intercourse with Deity in- 
creases : my God deals most tenderly and liberally with me. 
May I to the utmost improve his condescending goodness. He 
has, in a sensible manner, heard my prayer, put up on the second 
instant. I do feel more independent of the creature ; of course, 
I rely more on the Creator, and not in vain. Lord, I would, 
more closely and humbly than ever, walk with thee. Increase 
my power. Have had several sweet seasons since last date. 
Yesterday, especially, my heart felt lifted up when speaking of 
the things of God. I was deeply impressed with a sense of his 
astonishing love in the redemption of sinners, and enjoyed 
unusual liberty of speech when dwelling on the pleasing, the 
delightful theme. But O, how little of that vast plan can our 
limited powers take in ! even angels themselves, those bright 
intelligences, far superior to man, are represented as desiring 
to look into, and deeply to consider this stupendous mystery. 
Surely Jehovah himself alone knows the height and depth of it. 

October 19. The God of all grace and consolation still re- 
members his unworthy creature for good. On Lord's day morn- 
ing, in public, I did not wait upon my God in vain. On Monday, 
all day, I enjoyed a plenitude of the gracious presence of the 
Trinity. What clear notice of the truth of this mysterious doc- 
trine does the Lord impress upon my mind ! What comforts flow 
from it ! Yet I seldom make it a subject of discussion, though 
I firmly believe it. My limited powers may not be able to con- 
ceive how three persons can exist in one numerical essence, nor 
am I called to it : God has said it, and that is enough. The 
delightful fellowship 1 enjoy with each of these sacred persons 
brings with it a deeper and more experimental conviction of the 
truth of the doctrine, than ten thousand most conclusive argu- 
ments could ever effect. 

December 28. For these days past, I have been asking of my 
God to grant me a token for good, before the expiration of this 
year ; and, of a truth, he has heard and answered my request 
oftener than once. More especially, on Tuesday morning, in 
public, when singing his praises before sermon, Jehovah not only 
drew nigh in all the grandeur of Deity, but his glory seemed to 
fill the place. No language can express what I felt, or how I 



384 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

felt. I have had many solemn manifestations of the kind, but 
this exceeded them all : wonder and love pervaded my whole 
soul while I sunk into nothing before the great I AM. O that 
great and good ends may be answered by it. 

February 9, 1805. Through the tender mercy of my God, I 
have been enabled to make many exertions in the path of duty, 
in the course of these last eight days, which to nature appeared 
most formidable ; but, through divine aid, I easily accomplished 
them. Have also gained several victories over self in the same 
way. Help, Lord, to retain the ground gained. Yesterday, the 
Lord drew sweetly near, while calling on him in our little meet- 
ing. It is truly in general a very profitable one, and no less 
comfortable. How uniformly does the God we love, and endea- 
vour to serve, favour us with his gracious presence ; not only 
during the meeting, but in conversation after it. These two last 
Thursdays I felt uncommonly stirred up ; yea, as it were, im- 
pelled to press on my own heart, and the hearts of all present, 
the great necessity of living for eternity. How trifling and 
insignificant the things of time, when compared with those of an 
eternal world. 

September 13. Since the second ultimo I have been confined 
to my chamber, and much to my bed ; my mind has been flat ; my 
spirits weak ; and my nerves a good deal affected, by the effects 
of a fever. Yet, through the tender mercy of God, the adver- 
sary is in a great measure chained up. How good is the Father 
of mercies ! He is again, as often formerly, beginning to restore 
me to a measure of health, though very slowly. How many the 
temporal mercies enjoyed in this long season of affliction. Every 
outward accommodation, kindness, and all proper medical assist- 
ance, &c, &c. O for gratitude! Yesterday my God drew 
near ; Jehovah came down, and my soul rejoiced. O Lord, 
come nearer still ; fully restore and perfect what concerns body, 
soul, spirit, and cut ward estate. 

27. Through mercy I still live, and continue to gain a 

little upon my bodily affliction, and experience many mercies : 
but still langour of mind and weakness of nerves try me. At 
times my God draw r s near : he did so yesterday, (Thursday,) 
and answered prayer. I trust it is only an alteration of enjvy- 
ment, not of possession ; but even this is painful. O my God, 
quickly come, and fill with all thy communicable fulness. I am 
thankful for power to speak for God, and the profit of my fellow 
creatures. Lord, follow simple language with divine power ; 
then shall thy promise be fulfilled, that I shall " turn many from 
darkness to light, and strengthen the brethren.'' How insipid is 
all created good without intimate fellowship with Deity ! My 
mind is at present exercised about some important business, 
which affects my spirits ; though the Lord has condescended to 
favour me with many precious promises respecting the success 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL, 385 

of it. Forgive me, gracious Father, and make me stronger in 
the faith. 

December 13. Since last date I have, through rich mercy, 
enjoyed much communion with Deity, more especially with 
Jehovah. O how inexpressibly delightful ! What a heaven of 
silent love ! I prove in a small degree that the continual view 
of infinite Excellence tends greatly to refine the moral taste ; to 
expand and enlarge the powers of the soul ; and gives more and 
more extensive views of the perfections of Deity. But, while 
in the body, how little can we take in ; how very limited are our 
views of these glorious objects. Lord, enlarge my scanty thought 
to know the wonders of thy love ; and unloose my stammering 
tongue, to tell of them under a divine influence. On Lord's day 
morning, God was good to his unworthy creature in his house 
of prayer ; and just afterward opened my mouth in private to 
speak to the case of a distressed Christian, who had laboured 
long in the furnace of the most painful temptations. She is since 
in a great measure delivered, and has been favoured with glo- 
rious views of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as her portion. On 
this occasion it appeared more clearly to me than ever formerly 
that God had condescended to put his words in my mouth. On 
Thursday, during our class meeting, I had a precious time ; when 
speaking of his loving kindness, the fire of divine love was sen- 
sibly increased in my soul, and in the hearts of those present : 
O for gratitude. 

March 14, 1806. He whose tender mercies are over all his 
works hath made bare his holy arm in my behalf, since the 7th 
instant. The trial then mentioned, he hath removed in a very 
unexpected manner. Neither his kingdom, nor the accomplish- 
ment of his will, cometh by observation. He gently leads to 
the adoption of measures, sometimes at the suggestion of others, 
and often by the most simple means ; and, in the use of these, 
brings about the desired end, having previously given faith to 
believe for success. How wonderful are thy ways, O thou God 
of love ! I may add, how precious is faith, not only in the divine 
life, but in the things of the present life. Lord, increase my 
faith, and perfect what thou hast begun, respecting the business 
now mentioned, and much more in the accomplishment of these 
precious promises for matters of much greater importance. 
Found it truly good to wait on God in public last Lord's day, and 
to sit down at his Son's table : but much better since, as he has 
so quickly granted one of my requests then put up, and added 
much comfort with it to my soul, with some increase of faith. 
to be grateful. 

October 17. A God of love is still, from time to time, showing 

me mercy, and repeating the visits of his love. O how delightful 

these seasons. If any thing can be more so, it is that intercourse 

with which I am often favoured with the whole Deity : language 

17 



366 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

cannot express what is then enjoyed. The soul is as if absorbed 
in the Godhead : surrounded with it ; and all within bows before 
the triune God, with the deepest humility, the most profound 
solemnity, and indescribable serenity : the creature seems for the 
time lost in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — one God, Jehovah. 
How little, then, does every earthly thing appear! O my God, 
let it be ever thus with me ; then I shall be better fitted for doing 
and suffering all thy holy will. Last Lord's day morning, in 
public, it was truly a profitable and comfortable time. In a mo- 
ment the Lord seemed to favour me w T ith a retrospect of his 
dealings with me since he first called me to seek his face, 
and gave me to see it was mercy all ; and that he had not 
permitted me wickedly to depart from him : yea, he gave me 
a sweet witness from on high that, from the beginning to 
the present moment, I never had had one serious thought of 
departing from my God. But while I speak thus, I feel I have 
been unfaithful, unworthy, and unfruitful. Perhaps one great 
preservative has been a fear continually of coming short. From 
the first I was deeply sensible of my danger ; I durst not trust 
myself one moment, and, therefore, kept aloof from persons, 
things, and places. But, as human nature is prone to extremes, 
it is possible I carried this too far. Yet upon a retrospect I am 
inclined to think I did not lose by living so much in the spirit of 
sacrifice. I do not say that this plan is necessary for all ; but 
I found it so for me, and I now bless my God that he thus led 
me. Perhaps what suggested these meditations was the portion 
of Scripture spoken from the second chapter of Jeremiah, 17th 
to the 19th verse. 

March 27, 1807. Still have cause to bless the God of grace 
and consolation for many mercies, known and unknown, since 
last date ; though my spiritual joys have not been so strong as 
the week before. Two great events, as to public affairs, have 
taken place very recently, which ought to make the hearts of 
Christians rejoice, and fill their lips with the high praises of 
God ; namely, 1st, The total abolition of the slave trade by Great 
Britain. Its long continuance has been the disgrace of our 
island. May the Most High crown the noble deed with his 
blessing, that it may be productive of all those happy and most 
important consequences that are expected from it. 2dly, The 
other event is also of great magnitude — the rejection of the 
Rqman Catholic Bill by both houses of Parliament. Blessed be 
God, who hath given firmness to our king, and a large majority, 
in favour of both these measures. O God, what praise is due 
to thee ! O pour out a spirit of prayer and gratitude upon all thy 
own people in our island, for thy great goodness to us in these 
respects ; do thou enable us all to profit by it, and to show our 
gratitude by our obedience and love to Thee. 

April 25. Through mercy I still find the Lord inviting me to 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 387 

come forward, to enjoy more fully the rich blessings the adorable 
Saviour hath purchased for his people. His condescension has 
operated powerfully and sweetly on my heart, and greatly en- 
couraged me to expect greater things than ever. My love to 
God has been increased, and to my blessed Jesus. My earnest 
thirst after entire conformity to the divine image is strengthened. 
Come, O eternal God, and give me the permanent possession of 
all thou hast so clearly shown me is thy will concerning me ; let 
nothing hinder. I have been favoured, these days past, with 
delightful meditations on the deep things of God ; and also at 
different times, with sweet communion with Deity, alone, and 
when with others ; and have had most pleasing sensations from 
the strong hope of the gospel being sent to very distant parts, 
where as yet no missionary exertions have been made. Blessed 
God, realize these hopes, and give great, exceeding great suc- 
cess, that the multitudes of blacks, and of the swarthy sons and 
daughters of Africa, may be brought to the knowledge of the 
truth as it is in Jesus. They have long been enveloped in worse 
than Egyptian darkness, and their miseries have been greatly 
increased by the hellish cruelty of those who purchased and 
enslaved them. Yet, through the tender mercy of a gracious 
God, many individuals among them have had their slavery 
sweetened by being brought to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus 
Christ ; and now that the slave trade is abolished, and these 
opportunities lost thereby of hearing the gospel preached, what 
an unspeakable mercy will it be if a merciful God, who is no 
respecter of persons, so orders matters as that the gospel shall 
be brought to them in their own countries. 

September 25. I hope I may venture to say that my most 
gracious God and heavenly Father does not permit 'me at any 
time to be without sweet fellowship with himself; or if in the 
least interrupted, there is either a hungering or thirsting for it, 
or an inward grieving for my loss, and a constant hope, more or 
less, of its return, which is very seldom disappointed. Some 
days of last week I mourned, because I felt a partial distance 
from the grand source of all human bliss ; but soon the Father 
of mercies, the God of all grace and consolation, heard and 
answered my cries. On entering his house last Lord's day 
morning, which I esteemed a great privilege, after an absence 
of some weeks, I was enabled to join the great congregation, 
and what was much better, to sing his praise with gTace in my 
heart ; a divine something seemed to thrill through my whole 
frame ; but what 1 felt under a discourse from, " Blessed are the 
pure in heart, for they Bhall see God," eternity alone can explain 
or express. O, if 1 attempt to use the moderate language of 
humanity, there was an indescribable degree of union with the 
whole Deity ; a depth of exquisite communion and fellowship 
with each of the sacred Three ; an uncommon, experimental, 



388 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

impressive view of the Unity of essence and Trinity of persons. 
All this continued during the whole service, yea, the whole day ; 
and to the present moment, I feel a measure of it. But O, 
when I consider the goodness of my God in favouring me with 
this wonderful display of his greatness, glory, and goodness, at 
this time, I am led to adore and bless his holy name, with my 
whole heart. I was ignorant, but he knew how soon I was to 
hear unexpected and doleful tidings of the near approach of 
death to a beloved and only sister, and also of a brother equally 
near the confines of eternity. Nature ought to feel, and " un- 
reproved, she may drop a tear." Religion does not destroy the 
human passions and affections, but refines them. I bless my 
God, my mind was kept composed, much drawn out in prayer ; 
and O, how I ought to praise my Lord, who has given me such 
well grounded hopes that my dear sister and brother will be eter- 
nally happy. Blessed be the name of my gracious God. O 
holy Father, thou hast often given me clear, soul-satisfying 
views of the happiness of not a few of those thou hast called 
hence at different times ; if thou seest it meet, allow me this 
privilege when my dear sister and brother shall leave this vale 
of tears. 

November 27. I have great cause to praise a God of love, 
who is the hearer of prayer ; and who has so fully granted my 
request, respecting my dear sister's departure from this vale of 
tears. I was, at her desire, in some measure, frequent and 
fervent at a throne of grace that she might die happy ; that her 
faith might not fail, being at that time increased ; and truly it 
did not fail. Her joy for weeks before her death was unspeaka- 
ble. Holy, sacred awe, sweetly tempered with a large propor- 
tion of divine love, seemed to pervade her whole soul, till she 
dropped the mantle of mortality, and entered into the paradise of 
God : that intermediate space, where blood-bought souls remain 
till the final judgment, when they shall enter into the joy of their 
Lord, which is unspeakable and full of glory ; when they shall 
enjoy the beatific vision, and be made pillars in the temple of 
our God, to go no more out. Blessed Jesus, what hast thou 
suffered and done for thy people ! 

December 12. He who cannot err still sees meet to keep me 
from the means of grace, by severity of weather, and delicacy 
of health, by which I suffer both in body and mind. O may I be 
kept from every unnecessary degree of attention to the body, and 
also obtain the sanctified use of every providential dispensation. 
I endeavour to make my confinement, through grace, profitable 
to my fellow creatures, by a deeper attention to the wants of the 
poor, especially the Lord's people, in this extreme cold and 
severe weather ; and during the high price of every necessary of 
life, even to a threatening of famine. Lord, enlarge my powers 
of action herein, and give heavenly wisdom. As a nation we 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 389 

have had very uncommon losses at sea, both of men and proper- 
ty ; and the clouds are dark indeed which seem to hang over 
our heads, as it regards political matters ; beside an unprece- 
dented spirit of revolution, which has appeared in several na- 
tions, and still threatens others, almost to the subversion of all 
regular governments. Thus situated, how natural to think that 
even the most unconcerned would be brought to consider ; but, 
alas, it is not so ; nothing short of sovereign grace can change 
the heart of sinners. O blessed God, with whom is the residue 
of the Holy Spirit, do thou then pour him out in all his diversi- 
fied operations, that the thoughtless may be awakened, convinced, 
and converted ; and thy own people built up in their most holy 
faith : and, O Lord, do thou greatly enlarge my spiritual borders. 



CHAPTER XXXVIIL— 1808-10. 

Diary concluded — Lady Maxwell's last illness and death — Letter on, by 
the Honourable Miss Napier — Inscription on monumental tablet. 

March 19. On last Lord's day I enjoyed the great privilege 
of being not only in the house of God, but of being richly fed 
with spiritual food while there, from these words : " Lord, I 
am thine, save me ; I have sought thy precepts." It is impos- 
sible for me to say how exquisite was my enjoyment of the whole 
Deity, during this discourse. I was favoured with uncommon 
fellowship and nearness to the sacred Three : but eternity alone 
can fully unfold and define what the Christian feels on these 
wonderful and blessed occasions. Meditating upon it brings 
back in some measure a renewal of it. O my God, let me prove 
in some degree its transforming nature. Yesterday, (Thurs- 
day,) I was again favoured with the presence of the holy Trinity 
in our little meeting ; but not in such a high degree : my comfort 
was rather damped by the weight of a very unexpected trial in the 
morning ; but He who afllicteth not willingly, soon lightened the 
load. Blessed Lord, how tenderly dost thou deal with thy children. 

June 16. God is love. O how great his goodness. Since 
the 9th instant he has, in much mercy, increased his love in 
my heart. He favoured me with the great privilege of entering 
his house last Lord's day, when he made much of his goodness 
to pass before me ; greatly more than I had reason to expect. 
I was fed with marrow and fatness — intimate fellowship and 
communion with Father, Son, and Spirit. I felt as in the im- 
mediate presence of Deity. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all 
that is within me praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. On 
Thursday, during our meeting, as soon as I bowed my knees, looked 
up to the Father of mercies, and inwardly plead for much of the 
divine presence ; the sacred Three drew nigh ; a solemn, divine 



390 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

awe overspread my mind ; all within deeply felt, " God is here. 1 ' 
It was indeed a memorable season. my God, hasten the time 
when it shall always be so, and when every such visit from on 
high shall greatly increase holiness of heart and life, and of con- 
sequence, greater intercourse with heaven. This is what my 
soul hungers and thirsts after. 

September 10. Since the 26th of August I have felt va- 
riously. I have been favoured, at times, w r ith precious visits 
from above : my best times are in the house of my God : and, 
on Thursdays, at home, in secret prayer and meditation ; like- 
wise, in conversing on the things of God, with strong desires for 
the eternal welfare of others. O to be faithful and successful ! On 
these occasions I find an earnest desire, and this proves a strong 
stimulus to speak. By nature I am rather shy ; but I find, in 
general, I obtain such assistance from on high, when thus em- 
ployed, as conquers nature, and procures additional comfort to 
my own soul. Last Lord's day I had an opportunity of remem- 
bering the dying love of my adorable Saviour, which was a time 
of refreshing. I felt ashamed and grieved that I did not feel my 
heart overflowing with grateful love to Him who had done so 
much for me ; but O the riches of free grace ! In a moment the 
whole Deity drew near ; I felt surrounded, yea encircled in the 
divine arms ; I was lost in sacred astonishment and love. The 
whole powers of my soul were arrested, and a holy awe pervaded 
my mind, while I seemed to sink into Jehovah, and felt lost in 
his immensity. O adorable Saviour, how infinite the blessings 
thou hast purchased even for the fallen race of Adam 1 Why is 
not my poor heart every moment burning with the sacred fire of 
divine love and gratitude to thee 1 I lose myself, and into nothing 
fall before thee. O compassionate thy poor creature ! Enlarge 
my receptive powers, and keep them continually on the stretch. 

December 31. Since the 22d of October, in general, my ex- 
perience of divine things has not been so rich as before that pe- 
riod. My health has been impaired, and my confinement more 
than usual : yet my God has been good ; allowed me many pre- 
cious seasons in public, private, and secret. My heart has been 
much drawn out to assist the poor, and to alleviate every species 
of distress among my fellow creatures in these trying times, more 
especially the religious poor. Lord, increase my ability ! Thou 
hast given me a willing heart. 

January 7, 1809. The God of all grace and consolation has 
lengthened out my life another year, and in the course of twelve 
months past has given me much cause to praise him for his good- 
ness to my soul ; for almost continual fellowship with the whole 
Deity, still superior to what he allowed me in the former year, 
though that w r as also great. I have enjoyed an increase of sacred 
awe, solemn serenity, holy liberty, and inexpressible purity of 
happiness — I would almost say, similar to what the blessed above 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 391 

enjoy. my God, how do I sink in my own eyes when I con- 
sider my poverty of returns for all this profusion of goodness. I 
am lost in amazement that thou hast so long borne with me ; but 
the cause is, thou art God, whose tender mercies are over all thy 
works, and Jesus hath died, the great propitiation for sin. Blessed 
God, for his sake grant me more power to love and serve thee. 

July 21. Still my God appears in my behalf. One day this 
week, I felt rather a degree of unwillingness to do what I had 
some small reason to think was the will of God. I hesitated, and 
asked the Lord to lead me into his will. In a few minutes, my 
God appeared in my behalf, and gave me a sweet persuasion that, 
if asked agreeably to my present light, he would soon interpose 
in a way that would fully satisfy me as to the business in hand. 
This soon determined me to go forward with cheerfulness : and 
0, how soon did my God, who is ever faithful, answer for him- 
self. " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, 
bless his holy name." Surely it is good for me to trust in Jeho- 
vah. O my heavenly Father, strengthen my faith, and enable 
me to go forward with greater speed. And if it is thy holy will, 
enlarge my temporal borders, that I may be more able to help 
the poor and the friendless, especially thy people. Thou hast 
given me a heart from my youth thus disposed. O give increas- 
ing power ; and, O Lord, give thy richest blessing to my week- 
day charity school in Edinburgh. I have reason to believe that 
thou didst direct to it, when I asked of thee to show me what I 
could do for thy cause. It has been opened a good many years, 
and about eight hundred children, boys and girls, have been 
taught, by various teachers, every branch of education proper 
for their line of life, and every possible attempt used to secure 
the salvation of their immortal souls. Blessed Lord, command 
thy blessing, and then real good shall be done. 

October 7. Still far behind, and deeply conscious of it ; yet my 
God is good. On Sunday last he exceeded my expectations, for 
which I felt grateful. But when, Lord, wilt thou satisfy the 
longing desires of my soul. O hasten the happy time when I 
shall feel all that conformity to the divine image that the pre- 
sent imperfect state, where the immortal soul is lodged in a tene- 
ment of clay, will permit. Yesterday, found it profitable to listen 
to an account given by one or two valuable ministers in the Me- 
thodist connection, respecting what God had done for their souls. 
They are a highly favoured body of Christians, both ministers 
and people. I meet with none who enjoy so much of the com- 
forts of religion, of communion and fellowship with the Father 
and the Son, as they do ; nor with any that have such clear 
views of the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant.* 

* Such w,ts the testimony of Lady Maxwell, aftcra long and intimate 
acquaintance with the venerable founder of Methodism, and several others 
of his pious coadjutors : and after having watched, with an enlightened and 



392 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

February 2, 1810. Still confined from the house of my 
God, which I prove a considerable loss. I long to get there, 
and to enjoy the deep, the delightful fellowship with which I 
have been so often favoured : it is a heaven upon earth ; O God, 
restore me to it again, if it is thy holy will and pleasure ! But thou 
art everywhere present. Yesterday Father, Son, and Spirit 
were most graciously near. Lord, where thou art is heaven. 
Give me, O Lord, to feel this every moment. I desire to be 
grateful for what I have enjoyed, and do enjoy of it. Help me, 
blessed Lord, to profit more by it ! 

16. Still my gracious God preserves me, and, from time 

to time, allows me sweet fellowship with Father and Son. What 
a great blessing ! On last Thursday I was highly favoured in 
this respect, and those who were with me. Jehovah was sensi- 
bly and most graciously nigh. O my God, let these precious 
visitations prove much more transforming than ever. I long for 
this. Speak, Lord, and it shall be so : and O, make me more 
useful to others ! — strengthen my delicate frame ; — fill me with 
faith and with the Holy Ghost. 

March 2. Upon a survey of the last eight days, they have 
not been very comfortable. I have felt at a partial distance from 
the Source of my happiness. My body has been afflicted ; my 
nerves and spirits the same. O my God, when not happy in 
thee, all within feels an aching void. O Lord, remove whatever 
hinders that close communion with Deity with which thou dost 
so highly favour me in general. On Thursday last, thou didst 
deal favourably with me, for which I would praise thee. O that 

discriminating eye the principal movements of this body of Christians for 
nearly half a century : a testimony surely sufficient to neutralize for ever 
the low ribaldry and blasphemy of the " Vicar of Manachan," and to out- 
weigh the ten thousand false deductions which either have been, or yet 
may be made, by the purblind metaphysics of a certain semi-infidel school ; 
even though these should be arrayed with all the fascinations of genius, 
and have the ponderous name of some far-famed poet laureate thrown with 
them into the scale. But Lady Maxwell's testimony, it will be said, can 
only be considered as ex parte evidence. It may, therefore, just be fair to 
add the following historical sketch, recently drawn by the able pencil of 
one who will not be accused of party attachment : — " Contemplate the pro- 

fress of Methodism, from its small beginnings, under its indefatigable 
'ounder. That system which reckons nearly half a million members and 
a thousand preachers ; which can speak of scholastic learning and pulpit 
eloquence inferior to none of any other denomination ; which has its mis- 
sionaries in every quarter of the globe ; which is continually and deservedly 
rising in public esteem, was, about seventy years ago, confined to two 
ministers and some thirty or forty members, who had to work their way 
against the brutal violence of the mob, the injustice of magistrates, the 
frowns of lukewarm Christians, and the contempt of avowed infidels. The 
history of this indefatigable, zealous, and useful denomination will stand 
to the end of time, as a check to the despondency, and an encouragement 
to the hopes of those who are anxious to glorify God in seeking the salva- 
tion of their fellow creatures." — Vide a sermon, preached for the benefit of the 
Port of London Society, May 9, 1820, by the Rev. J. A. James. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 393 

it might be the beginning of better days than ever yet I have 
enjoyed, if it is thy holy will ; — and 0, my gracious God, restore 
me to thy house of prayer. I long for this. Amen, and Amen. 

With the above passage, written in a manner scarcely legible, 
her ladyship's diary was closed. * Her right hand forgot its cun- 
ning. Her race was nearly run ; but her lamp was trimmed, her 
light was burning, and the Bridegroom was at the door. Instead, 
of being restored to God's earthly tabernacle, her divine Master, 
whom she had so faithfully served, was preparing her triumphant 
soul speedily to join the assembly of glorified spirits around his 
throne. For some years her constitution had manifested symp- 
toms of decay, and had imposed upon her more than ordinary 
attention to her health. From the latter part of the preceding 
year, her weakness had greatly increased ; and in the early part 
of the spring of this year, her decline was accelerated by an 
almost total loss of appetite. And, although every aid of medi- 
cine was tried, administered by the hand of a most able physician, 
who had long attended her, and to whom the peculiarities of her 
constitution were well known, yet her appetite could not be re- 
stored. Nothing, however, appeared to indicate a speedy dis- 
solution until within about a fortnight of her death, when one 
night she became so very feverish, and her pulse so high, that it 
was seriously feared that the time of her departure was come. 
At this time, her attendant requested that she might be permitted 
to call in some of her ladyship's relations, but received for 
answer, " No ; it will hurry me. I feel such a divine calm that 
I wish not to be disturbed." She afterward recovered a little, 
but being incapable of taking nourishment, her delicate frame 
gradually sunk. She was frequently visited, about this time, by 
the "Wesleyan minister then in the city, to whom she appeared 
to suffer no pain of body, nor mental decay. She expressed her 
hearty thanks for every little attention which was shown to her, 
and poured her solemn benedictions on all who came near her. 
As she was very weak, the minister who visited her did not urge 
her to speak, but when she inclined to it of her own accord. 
Having on one occasion joined with her in prayer, he left her 
abruptly, as she appeared to be engaged in some mental exercise ; 
when, as soon as he was gone, the physician came in, and in- 
quired how she felt herself; she thanked him for all his kindness 
and attention, but assured him that her mind was so absorbed in 
divine things that she could neither speak of the body nor of the 
world. At another time she was asked by the minister how she 
was, but she had only strength to say, "God is with me." Two 
days before her death he called upon her, when she desired him 
to be seated, and appeared very wishful to speak, but her strength 
was gone. She was only able to say that through her affliction 
she had " had no painful exercise of mind ;" — that her " confi- 
17* 



394 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

dence was unshaken," and her "peace inexpressibly sweet." 
She was visited again on the day that she died, when, without 
pain, and in the perfect use of her senses and faculties, she 
seemed to be gently breathing herself away ; and, on the after- 
noon of the same day, while one^ of the ministers of the city was 
engaged with her in prayer, 

" She took her last triumphant flight 
From Calvary's to Zion's height." 

Thus died Lady Maxwell, July 2, 1810, in which the society 
to which she belonged lost its oldest member, the world one of 
its best inhabitants, and the church universal, throughout the 
earth, one of its brightest ornaments. 

The following letter, addressed to a friend of her ladyship, by 
the Hon. Miss Napier, will throw farther light on this painful, 
blissful, parting scene. 

TO MRS. C. 
Castle-street, Edinburgh, July 14, 1810. 

Madam, — Knowing the great regard which beloved Lady 
Maxwell entertained for you, I cannot resist writing a few lines 
to inform you of an event that will doubtless give you real pain. 
Her dear ladyship died on the second instant. Her health had 
gradually declined, ever since last November. Three of the 
most eminent physicians attended her, who apprehended no 
danger till within six weeks of her death. She died, blessed 
woman, as she had lived, rejoicing in the God of her salvation, 
and in the full assurance of eternal happiness. 

She was quite aware of her situation, and told me that from 
the time she was taken ill she was fully persuaded death was in 
the cup : but from tenderness to me, she never adverted to the 
subject till within a fortnight of her death. From that time till 
she departed, her conversation was more like that of an inhabitant 
of heaven than of one still encumbered with a body of clay. 
She expired without a sigh, struggle, or groan ; and this was 
literally in answer to prayer. I had been long her selected con- 
fidential friend, as well as her relation ; had lived under the same 
roof with her for some years, and slept in the same room ; so 
that to me this event is most mournful. But I am convinced the 
change to her is so glorious that I ought to turn my tears into 
hymns of joy. 

I do endeavour to comfort myself by reflecting on what she is 
now enjoying. I doubt not but many hymns were sung on her 
entrance into her heavenly Father's kingdom, and that a celestial 
host conducted her to her Saviour, to her King, and to her God. 
Then, then began her glory ! She, being crowned with glory, 
and honour, and immortality, is set down at God's right hand, to 
drink at the fountainhead of pleasure, for evermore. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 395 

I must remember, too, many, many mercies, which are mixed 
in this bitter cup. She did not outlive her usefulness : her facul- 
ties remained unimpaired ; and she has gone to receive her un- 
speakable reward, before the days of old age arrived in which 
she would have found no pleasure. Her life and death are 
lessons which I trust I shall never forget. May they be blessed 
to me, and to all who knew, or were connected with her : and 
may we more and more strive to walk at an humble distance in 
her steps, that our last end may be like hers. 

God highly honoured me in appointing me the melancholy 
duty of attending her. 0, such a deathbed ! It appeared like 
the verge of heaven — like waiting in the sanctuary surrounded 
by angels and archangels — and, above all, a place which the 
presence of God rendered sacred. 

There was never, surely, greater lamentation than has been 
made for her by all ranks of society. A funeral sermon was 
preached on this mournful occasion, on Sunday evening, in her 
free school : another is to be preached in the church for her 
dear ladyship to-morrow ; and one in her chapel at Workington, 
&c, &c. And, I trust, if it be possible, one at Hope Chapel, 
by some of your ministers, who knew her exalted character and 
real worth. 

I am, dear madam, with respect, yours, &.. Napier. 



396 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

The mortal remains of this eminent servant of God lie interred 
in the Grey Friars churchyard, Edinburgh ; to wait for the 
morning of the resurrection, when Jesus " shall come to be glo- 
rified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe." 
A monumental tablet has been erected, on which is the follow- 
ing inscription : — 

Sacred 
To the memory of 

DAME DARCY BRISBANE, 

Widow of 

Sir Walter Maxwell, of Pollock, Bart., 

And youngest daughter 

Of the late 

Thomas Brisbane, Esq., of Brisbane ; 

Died at Edinburgh, 

July 2, 1810 : 

Who was equally distinguished for her exalted piety, benevolence, 

and Christian virtues, as she was for her amiable disposition 

and dignified manners. Prov. xxxi, 29. 

Now she has dropp'd her cumbrous clay, 

And joyful soars the shining way ; 

While kindred spirits spread their wing3, 

And bear her to the King of kings. 

Long had she known the Saviour's love, 

And fix'd her heart on things above ; 

Long had she run, with even pace, 

A useful — not uncertain race. 

With various gifts and graces fraught, 

By the unerring Spirit taught, 

She warn'd, allured, with fervent zeal, 

Nor dared religion to conceal. 

And now she shines in endless light, 

In all her Father's glory bright ; 

A spotless robe to her is given, 

And all the glorious joys of heaven ; 

She sees, with joy, her Saviour's face, 

And sings the triumphs of his grace : 

Then casts her crown before his throne, 

And glory gives to God alone. 

This monument is erected by her nephews, and trustees, 

Colonel Brisbane, of Brisbane, and Archibald 

Swinton, Esq., W. S., as a mark of 

their affectionate regard. 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 397 



CHARACTER OF LADY MAXWELL. 

To portray with accuracy the character of Lady Maxwell 
certainly required a pencil of more than ordinary ability. " It 
is true, that a person of inventive mind, or a lively imagination, 
might draw an ideal character, combining whatsoever things are 
pure, pious, amiable, and of good report ; and by applying this 
to Lady Maxwell, fancy would become reality, and fiction would 
be sober narrative of fact : for her character and conduct would 
bear him out triumphant. Yet, as there is something peculiar to 
every person ; something which is properly their own, and their 
ownselves ; as untransferable as personal identity, and by which 
their acquaintance will easily recognize them in the crowd ; so 
the person who has an eye that can catch these peculiarities, 
and a hand which can throw them on the canvass, each in its 
proper light, natural attitude, and just proportions, that person is 
a real painter of character ; and to such a one, that of Lady 
Maxwell would be a subject worthy of the best efforts of his 
greatest powers." 

For the following concentrated view of some of the many ex- 
cellences which were so happily combined in the life and cha- 
racter of this eminent saint, the editor is indebted to the Memoir 
of his worthy friend alluded to in the preface of this work. It 
has been preferred to any thing he might have attempted ; not 
only on account of its own intrinsic worth, but also on account 
of the following interesting fact. This delineation was drawn, 
not from an examination of her ladyship's writings, but from per- 
sonal observation, and the unanimous testimony of numerous 
friends. It is, therefore, conceived that it furnishes a most 
satisfactory proof that her ladyship's conversation and deport- 
ment strictly corresponded with all that has been met with, in 
the record of her own experience. Principles were reduced to 
practice ; resolutions formed in the closet had their appropriate 
influence on the life ; and a happy consistency between pro- 
fession and doing was maintained, which secured the ready 
assent and approbation of every pious and impartial observer. 
It has been remarked that few persons were known to speak of 
her ladyship in any other terms than those of " good Lady Max- 
well." It is a brief but full and striking character of a primitive 
worthy, by the pen of inspiration, — " He was a good man, and 
full of the Holy Ghost and of faith : and much people was added 
to the Lord," Acts xi, 24. 

" Lady Maxwell's person was a little taller than the ordinary 
size, slender, regular in its form, just in its proportions, and re- 
markably straight : her complexion inclining a little more to dark 
than light. Her features quite feminine, yet bold, every line 
full of meaning, and strongly marked with intelligence. Her 



31)8 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

eye was quick and penetrating, yet full of sweetness. And 
when she was bordering on her seventieth year, time had neither 
impaired her sight, nor drawn furrows on her countenance ; while 
she sat and walked as erect, and moved with as much ease and 
grace, as when in her twentieth year. The amiable part of her 
manner was scarcely perceived by strangers at first sight, in 
consequence of a superlative dignity in her mien, which appears 
to have been so natural, that on very few occasions she could 
forget it ; and this was thought by those who knew her the least, 
but ill to comport with that high degree of piety to which she 
laid claim. Acquaintance, however, broke this charm, ventured 
within the imagined magic circle, and experience corrected the 
errors of misconception. 

" Her dress, which was as much dictated by conscience as 
formed on taste, was very plain, being without ornament, or any 
thing which could serve only for show ; yet it was a plainness 
of her own, equally removed from the formal costume of the 
Quaker, and the frippery of fashion, escaping at the same time 
the unconscientious expensiveness of both. She did not degrade 
herself from her rank, nor detract from her personal appearance, 
by this plainness of apparel ; but she found that she could relieve 
many a suffering creature, and give education to many an orphan 
child, with what numbers expend in useless decorations, whose 
income was as much below her own as was their situation in 
society. 

" Her talent for conversation was very remarkable, calculated 
at once to profit and delight. It might be said of her, as Dr. 
Johnson said of the Rev. John Wesley, ' That she spoke well 
on every subject.' For although in one sense she was out of 
the world, she was by no means unacquainted with it, nor yet 
of those leading events which in continual succession engage the 
public mind ; while in the early part of her life she appeared to 
have amassed a considerable fund of original observation on 
things, manners, and men. She was also well acquainted with 
the general circle of British literature in its various departments, 
and possessed a memory retentive of important facts, and ready 
in supplying at the precise moment, the idea or illustration which 
was then wanted. She had no partiality for controversy on any 
subject, and mostly avoided disputable points. When, however, 
she was called to give an opinion on such subjects, she would 
do it with ease and clearness ; and, by adverting to the data of 
her own reasoning — to the procedure of her understanding from 
one link to another of that chain of ratiocination which it had 
formed, she seldom failed to conduct the minds of others to the 
same conclusions with those of her own. Her command of lan- 
guage in conversation was not less extraordinary ; the charac- 
teristics of which were, perspicuity, purity, and elegance. Her 
words, in general, were so well chosen, that a person of tas^e 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 399 

would have been ready to conclude that, had she ransacked all 
the lexicons of the language, she could not have selected words 
more justly to express her sense, or to convey the precise ideas 
she intended to communicate, than those which she employed. 
With the exception of a very slight Scottish accent, her enun- 
ciation was as pure and elegant as her language : — her manner 
of speaking was ease and dignity in the closest combination ; she 
was always ready, but never rapid. She was never observed to 
falter, hesitate, or trip in the pronunciation of a word, nor ever 
to change a word, half expressed, for another which might be 
deemed more suitable. She was never obtrusive in conversation, 
and never loquacious ; seldom descended from the elevation of 
her rank and character ; and on no occasion transgressed the 
laws of the best breeding ; but by asking pertinent questions, and 
suggesting useful topics, she rather invited the conversation of 
others, than monopolized it herself. 

" She was perfectly at home on every subject possessed of 
rational interest ; but in every company, and on every occasion, 
piety to God, and good will toward men, were her favourite 
themes. Religion, indeed, seemed like her native element, in 
which she lived and moved, encompassing her like an atmosphere, 
and accompanying her in all her revolutions in the world and 
the church : every subject was made to converge to, and termi- 
nate in, that great one, the enjoyment and practice of which is 
the chief end of man. On the doctrines of the gospel she spoke 
with clearness and precision ; evincing on some occasions a 
wonderful degree of discrimination. On subjects of Christian 
experience, she would have been the fit and equal companion of 
a Feneion, a De Renty, or a Fletcher. The high and deep 
things of the kingdom of grace were dwelt upon and treated by 
her with the easiest familiarity. When she expatiated on that 
grace which had so emptied her of self, so deadened every feel- 
ing and affection to the world, and so spiritualized all her men- 
tal powers — which had given her union with God so close, and 
fellowship so intimate ; aged Christians appeared in her presence 
to be children, having only learned the first principles of the doc- 
trine of Christ. Her noble conceptions of experimental truths 
were imbodied in language so appropriate and clear ; the pious 
feelings of the Christian were described so rationally and justly, 
that faith in her seemed to be sense, all spiritual and invisible 
realities appearing in sight, and God seen by the eye of a mor- 
tal. When dwelling on practical religion, piety in her hands 
assumed a more pious appearance ; the reasonableness of godli- 
ness became more reasonable, while its native beauty seemed 
to acquire new and fresher charms. Of very few could it be 
said with a less degree of poetic license than of her, that 

' Truths divine came mended from her tongue.' 



400 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

" The conversation of such a person must always have been 
engaging, instructive, and profitable to pious persons, although 
it could seldom be enjoyed, even by those, without feeling such 
a mental and religious inferiority as made them dwindle in their 
own sight into perfect insignificancy. And if any religious per- 
son has experienced feelings different from those of pleasurable 
in Lady Maxwell's company, let them attribute it to the above 
mentioned cause. 

" To some persons, perhaps, a part of the above may appear of 
minor importance. But if the design of biography be not to 
amuse merely by a relation of striking incident, nor yet solely to 
perpetuate the memory of the dead, but to instruct the living, 
by an exhibition of models of propriety and excellence — excel- 
lence, which is uniform, being carried into the very minutiae of 
life, as well as extending to concerns of greater importance : it 
is to be hoped that, to younger readers at least, the notice of 
these things may not be without its use. 

" Lady Maxwell's piety was sound, deep, and consistent. Her 
conversion to God was genuine and clear. Humility, which is 
the first grace implanted in the Christian's mind, and the first 
feature formed in the Christian character, and which lies at the 
root of every other grace, had a conspicuous situation in her 
temper and conduct. This grace, however, had to display its 
beauty under some unfavourable circumstances. For as there 
was nothing in her person, or her early habits, congenial to such 
a temper, so there was something of such commanding dignity 
in her whole mein that it is said that, when very young and at 
school, she maintained such an overbearing superiority of spirit 
as held all her companions in respectful awe, and led them to 
keep a measured distance. Nor did that mighty moral change 
which divine grace had wrought in her soul completely efface 
all traces of her early habits. For it may be said, almost with- 
out a figure, that there were, on some occasions, such an inex- 
pressible air and dignity in her manner as might have awed 
sovereignty itself to a respectful distance, and caused it to sink 
in conscious inferiority. But all this was in a manner the very 
opposite of that amiable spirit that always breathed in her heart. 
It is also true that Lady Maxwell did not generally comply with 
that custom of shaking hands at meeting and parting, which ob- 
tains among many religious persons ; and some might deem this 
a want of Christian condescension. But to say nothing of this 
practice being in many cases a mere formality, it may be neces- 
sary here to observe that Lady Maxwell cherished the nicest 
sense of what she conceived to be propriety in character and ac- 
tion — studying what was proper for her as & female, a Christian, 
and a lady of rank ; considering, at the same time, that what was 
proper for her in any one of these situations was not at vari- 
ance with what was due from her in any of the others. In con- 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 401 

versation, for instance, she was never masculine. And as the 
female never was lost in the philosopher or divine, so in action 
the titled lady was never entirely merged in the Christian. This 
she would have considered as a departure from propriety, which 
was neither warranted by the usages of civilized nations, nor 
demanded by the genius of Christianity. 

" Yet that elevated manner which she could assume was ex- 
ceedingly useful to her, especially in shortening visits which had 
ceased to be mutually profitable, by disposing the visiter volun- 
tarily to retire. This to strangers might have an abruptness 
whieh often produced disappointment ; yet, on her part, it was in 
this instance habit formed on design. Few persons more fully 
estimated the value of time, or more sedulously husbanded it 
than she did ; having in this, as in some other things, taken the 
father of Methodism for her model. And had she not in some 
way guarded against the invasion of her time, the number of 
visiters which she would have had, some drawn by the attractions 
of her conversation, others to solicit her counsel, and others, 
perhaps, to impose on her charity by fabricated tales of wo, 
would not only have interrupted her regular business, but sensi- 
bly diminished her mental and religious improvement. Yet, not- 
withstanding these appearances, she was humble : indeed to 
question this, were to doubt her Christianity. She appears ever 
to have had such full and clear views of the divine perfec- 
tions, and of her own want of conformity to the divine image — 
such extended discoveries of her own religious privileges, and 
of her disproportionate improvement — such a perception of the 
attainments of others placed in circumstances less favourable to 
advance in Christian holiness than her own ; as overwhelmed 
her with a sense of her own unworthiness, and sunk her as into 
nothing before God. Rank, title, knowledge, and even piety 
itself, seemed to disappear, while with Job she exclaimed, ' Be- 
hold I am vile !' If we are to look for farther proof of her 
humility in her spirit and temper, which is certainly a more deci- 
sive criterion than the shape of a hat, the cut of a coat, or any 
adventitious circumstance in a person's manners, we shall find 
it in the submissive spirit in which she bore opposition to her 
plans, and dissent from her opinions : in the deference which 
she paid to the judgments and suggestions of others, who were 
as inferior to herself in mind as they were below her in life ; as 
also in that childlike temper in which she received religious 
instruction from the weakest instruments. And if proof of her 
humility be required in her actions, the very circumstance of 
\\px becoming a member of the Wesleyan society at the time she 
did ; Iht continuing in it in the country where she lived ; her be- 
ing always easy Of access, perhaps more so to the poor than to 
the rich ; and the easy familiarity with which she met in class 
and in private band, and received as friends the visits of some 



402 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

pious females who were pensioners on her bounty — these, as a 
specimen, may suffice instead of volumes. 

"Love, which ranks the first among Christian graces, which 
includes within itself the whole of religion, and without which 
knowledge is empty, and faith is vain ; this had a place in her 
mind worthy of its pre-eminent nature ; it was so deeply seated 
in her heart, so powerful and uniform in its operation, as more to 
resemble a principle than a passion. Its origin was heavenly, 
its nature was divine, and its works were agreeable to that na- 
ture, and corresponded with its great source. From the time 
that she received a concern for a knowledge of divine things, 
she desired to love God with all her heart, and mind, and soul, 
and strength ; and that inferior degree of this, of which she was 
made a partaker when she received the justifying grace of God, 
only tended more to awaken her concern, inflame her ardour, and 
invigorate her pursuit of that great Christian enjoyment. Her 
soul cried out for all the divine fulness, nor did she cry in vain. 
She obtained the desire of her heart, in salvation from all sin — 
in the sanctification of her nature unto God — and in his perfect 
love shed abroad in her heart ; and for the space of near thirty 
years God reigned the undisputed sovereign of all her affections. 
Nor is there a doubt in the minds of those who know her best, 
that, had her love to God been subjected to the last decisive test, 
that of dying for his honour, she would, in that case, have braved 
death, though in the most terrific form, and worn .a martyr's 
crown. As she thus loved God with all her heart, so she loved 
all his rational offspring, and ever felt disposed, to the utmost 
of her power and means, to serve their present and eternal inte- 
rests. She entered with all her soul into every scheme which 
had for its object the removal or diminution of any part of the 
sum of human wretchedness, or to improve the natural or moral 
condition of her fellow creatures. And while she was desirous 
of serving all, she would not injure any. With her the cha- 
racters of others were as sacred as their property. Speaking 
evil of the absent was not known in her presence, and even the 
attempt was very seldom made. Her charity inclined to run to 
excess ; and having formed the best opinion possible of every 
person, she did not wish to hear any thing which might induce 
her to make any abatement from that degree of worth at which 
she had estimated them. She knew too well the proper place 
for her sex, to take any part in the affairs and government of 
the church ; and, as she allowed of no venders of evil reports, 
she remained ignorant of any little disorder or impropriety which 
might exist in individuals ; and this undoubtedly contributed 
much to her own peace. Very different indeed is this from the 
conduct of those who, under the mistaken idea of indignation 
against sin, and zeal for the purity of the church and the glory 
of God, allow their habitations to become a rendezvous of 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 403 

religious gossipping, until they form the common sewers of pious 
scandal. 

" Lady Maxwell naturally possessed all that quickness of tem- 
per, all that acuteness of feeling, and irritability of spirit, which 
is almost a characteristic of minds endued with the finest sensi- 
bilities. Yet so completely had grace effected a conquest of na- 
tural temper, and secured the empire of her passions, that on no 
occasion did indignation or anger, impatience or warmth of spi- 
rit, break that guard which grace had given her over herself. 
Indeed with so masterly a hand did she rule her own spirit, and 
that in times of extreme exercise ; so conspicuous were her mild- 
ness, gentleness, and long suffering, that her warm natural tem- 
per seemed rather to be extinguished than subdued. Old things 
were passed away, and all things were become new. 

" Joy in God, joy in the Holy Ghost, and joy unspeakable, 
are Scripture terms, and are expressive of a Christian grace to 
which no true believer can be an entire stranger. Yet it has 
been observed that this grace is most distinguishable in the first 
stages of the Christian's experience, when every thing in the 
world or kingdom of grace wears the face of novelty ; and when, 
perhaps, that hole of the pit out of which the hand of mercy has 
but recently dug the individual is still gaping in sight. For con- 
trasting his past with his present state, such a one must ne- 
cessarily feel his mind inspired with joy from an assurance of 
God's salvation. So it has been remarked farther, that, in 
general, religious joy is the most sensible in the minds of those 
persons whose attainments are not the most strikingly marked 
by their depth or height. And certainly if we are, in any case, 
to determine of our being in a state of salvation by the existence 
or strength of any of those graces which enrich and adorn the 
Christian's mind, perhaps there is none more equivocal, less cer- 
tain as a criterion, or that is so subject to feel the operation of 
disturbing causes, both from without and within, than that of joy. 
That supreme love to God, and submission to his authority, which 
fix the mind into a determination rather to die than to sin, form 
a much more conclusive proof of our being in a state of accept- 
ance than any measure of joy which we can feel. On the sub- 
ject of religious joy, Lady Maxwell said but little. For although 
she was not a stranger to this spiritual enjoyment, and notwith- 
standing her mental comforts were not subject to those fluctua- 
tions which are but too common with many, yet to rapturous or 
ecstatic joy she was a stranger. She would speak [as she has 
written] of a solid, settled peace ; a divine tranquillity; an over- 
whelming sense of the divine goodness, which rather sunk, than 
elated her soul ; a losing herself in God ; the deep teachings of 
God's Spirit ; an emptying of the mind, and a filling of her soul 
with love. And sometimes she spoke of such a conscious- 
ness of the whole Deity drawing near to her in his gracious 



404 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

influences as caused a heavenly solemnity to pervade all her 
mental powers, producing ' that speechless awe which dares not 
move.' And often she seemed to realize what is expressed in 
lines as poetically grand as the divinity is profound, 

1 Plunged in the Godhead's deepest sea, 
And lost in his immensity.' 

Yet neither in life, nor in death, did she speak of any extra- 
ordinary measure of spiritual joy. 

"Her candour. Although Lady Maxwell was fully estab- 
lished in her own religious sentiments, sentiments which she had 
drawn from that infallible source of truth, the word of God ; and 
had embraced them from a full conviction, which was the result 
of earnest, but dispassionate examination ; yet she did not ex- 
claim, 'The temple of the Lord 1 alone ' are we,' but indulged 
the most Christian charity toward all who laid Christ as the 
foundation, and held him as the Head. She loved and esteemed 
good people of every religious persuasion; being of opinion that 
when the essentials of Christianity are maintained, sentiments 
in religion form a less considerable part of the thing than many 
persons seem to apprehend, or, at least, less than most are dis- 
posed to grant. As she often attended that church in which she 
had been educated, so she often made grateful mention of the 
profit which she there received ; and of various ministers, both 
of the English and Scotch establishments, as well as of dissent- 
ers of both countries, who occasionally visited her, she spoke in 
terms of the highest respect. Yet, while she admired the splen- 
dour of talent in some, and extent of theological knowledge in 
many, and reverenced the piety of all ; and while she rejoiced 
that they preached Christ as the only foundation of a sinner's 
hope, she could not forbear lamenting that any of them should 
stop short, by not insisting on every individual knowing his per- 
sonal interest in the Redeemer ; and she has moreover observed 
that some of those with whom she had conversed on that subject, 
and whose views on other points were strictly evangelical, yet 
entertained the strongest doubts on the knowledge of salvation 
being the common privilege of the children of God. And yet such 
circumstances as these were adverted to in such mild and guarded 
terms as showed that she felt it rather as a subject of deep 
regret, than as affording matter for a sweeping sentence of con- 
demnation. Such persons she believed might be Christians them- 
selves, but were not the most likely to make Christians of others ; 
so that, notwithstanding the superiority of their learning and 
powers, they would not be the teachers of her ladyship's choice. 

" Nor was her candour less manifested toward the ministers 
of her own religious community than to those of others. In a 
society organized like that of the Wesleyan Methodists, where 
the whole connection is divided into distinct portions, and each 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL, 405 

portion supplied successively by a change of ministers, of every 
degree of standing in the work, and every order and variety of 
talent, both natural and acquired ; it must almost necessarily be 
the case that the hemisphere of each portion of such a body 
must be illuminated at different times by stars of very different 
magnitudes ; or that their churches must possess an eloquent 
Apollos, or consolatory Barnabas, a Boanerges, the thunderer, or 
a youthful Timothy, in tardy or rapid succession. Amid such 
changes, Lady Maxwell could not fail to discern some whose 
minds possessed a greater elevation and richness than others : 
some whose modes of thinking, and whose powers of giving 
body to conception, and adorning to thought, were more in unison 
with her own correct taste than those of others. This she saw 
and felt ; and while she acknowledged, she prized the privilege. 
For, with the exception of the saving grace of God, and the 
inward satisfaction arising from doing good to others, she had 
no delight superior to the intellectual luxury enjoyed under the 
ministry of the workman that needeth not to be ashamed, who 
rightly divides the word of truth ; yet she never made such men 
her idols ; nor, in her attendance on gospel ordinances, gave 
them a marked preference. The ministry of the young, as well 
as the old, the inferior as well as the superior, was attended and 
listened to by her. It was no subject of inquiry, who is the 
preacher, but when is the time ? And as the expectations of her 
mind were raised far above all human instruments, so she seldom 
failed of receiving the end of the ordinance : for although she 
could not on every occasion calculate on meeting with an intel- 
lectual repast, she could always contemplate a spiritual feast. 

" This lesson, of respecting the person of no teacher, appears 
to have been learned by her own experience. For we find her, 
at an early period of her Christian life, sometimes soliciting Mr. 
Wesley for the appointment or reappointment of certain preachers 
of name to Edinburgh ; but she afterward learned, as she fol- 
lowed on to know the Lord, that he is the proper judge of the 
fitness of those instruments by which he shall carry on his own 
work, and promote his own glory. She was ever ready to be- 
stow commendation on whomsoever in the least deserved it, but 
the most delicate censure was scarcely known to fall from her lips. 
And if on some occasions she gave to one teacher greater marks 
of regard than those shown to another, it was on account of the 
spirit of the person, or some congeniality of mind with her own, 
on the subject of Christian experience, rather than on account of 
superior public talents. 

" During the space of about forty years, Lady Maxwell was her 
own chaplain. For some time after she became acquainted with 
divine things, she employed a pious minister of the Scottish 
establishment to officiate in that capacity, but with which she 
soon became dissatisfied. For being placed by providence at 



406 LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 

the head of her own household, she considered that that relation 
imposed upon her the performance of certain duties which could 
not be discharged by proxy ; and of which duties, that of con- 
ducting- family worship she esteemed as not the least. It was 
not, however, without much reasoning and considerable conflict 
that duty and conscience triumphed over spurious shame and 
false delicacy. But having once overcome reluctance, and be- 
gun the practice, she found an ample reward ; duty became pri- 
vilege, and the work was wages. When she was in health she 
read the Scriptures, and prayed extempore with her whole family 
morning and evening ; and in these exercises, not only evinced 
the fervour of her devotion, but displayed the resources of a 
mind richly furnished out of the divine treasury. For to some 
of those persons who had been in the habit of joining with her 
in family worship for many years, and who were very adequate 
to detect any thing like a form or sameness in her manner, it 
was astonishing what an almost endless variety, both in petition 
and expression, she always had at command. Nor was there 
any appearance of a falling off in the latter part of her life, when 
it might have been expected that infirmities and age would have 
considerably impaired the energies of her mind. 

" To talk of a good man or woman who does no good, is to 
talk about a monster of imagination which has no positive ex- 
istence. ' Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father 
is this, to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction.' 
' For whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have 
need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how 
dwelleth the love of God in him V It will not be unto such as 
say, ' Lord, Lord, bless thy holy name,' that the Judge will 
award that plaudit, ' Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the 
kingdom prepared for you ;' but to those who have fed, and 
clothed, and visited his necessitous and suffering members. This 
is not merely a proof of the existence and reality of inward reli- 
gion, the ripe fruit of piety ; but it is religion itself, a resem- 
blance of the divine goodness : and all the apparatus of redemp- 
tion is constructed, and all the regenerating influences of the 
Spirit are employed on the mind, to infuse the disposition, to fix 
the principle, and impart the moral power, to continue patient 
in well doing. There was no trait in Lady Maxwell's character 
more prominent and fair, than her benevolence. Her ardent 
desire for getting good by constant recourse to the Saviour's 
fulness was not more intense than her wish to be useful to her 
fellow creatures ; and perhaps very few examples have occurred 
of means so comparatively limited being husbanded so well as 
to produce such a quantum of benefit to mankind. 

" Her pecuniary resources, especially during the latter part of 
her life, were not the most abundant, considering the rank and 
station which she had to uphold in society. Foi although she 



LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL. 407 

might be left a widow in affluent circumstances, yet being a 
dowager lady, confined to a fixed income, the depreciation of the 
value of money in more than half a century must considerably 
have curtailed her means of doing good. But she saved all that 
she could for the sole purpose of giving, and by the latter her 
funds were constantly kept low. She was, as has been noticed, 
singularly plain in her dress, genteelly frugal in her household, 
and thus, by avoiding every useless expense, she acquired the 
power of conferring more in charity than many possess with ten 
times her income. And all that was in her power to do, she 
did to the very utmost. There was scarcely a humane institution, 
or a private or public charity, whether for the repose of age or 
the instruction of youth, the relief of indigence or the help of 
sickness ; for the reformation of morals or the spread and sup- 
port of religion, from which she did not receive applications, and 
to which she did not contribute. She erected and supported a 
school, in which, at the time of her death, about eight hundred 
children received a good education ; and each a copy of the 
Scriptures on leaving the school. And such were the encou- 
raging effects produced by this school as induced her ladyship, 
by will, to provide for its continuance to the end of time. As 
she was prepared for every good work, the subject of her chari- 
ties is an almost endless one. Could the dead arise, and would 
the living speak, — the poor she has helped, the sick she has 
relieved, the orphans protected, and the friendless assisted, — 
embarrassed honest tradesmen that she raised above difficulty, — 
modest merit which she brought into notice, — the youth whom 
she instructed, and set out in the world : — could these, or would 
they speak, an army would rise to bless her memory. But she 
not only employed her money, but her tongue, which was per- 
suasive — her pen, which was urgent — and her influence, which 
was mild, but powerful among her friends, to obtain their assist- 
ance. And it has been said that there was no sum which she 
gave, however small, no institution which she patronized, nor an 
individual, who became the object of her charity, but what she 
followed with particular, earnest prayer to God, that what she 
had done might receive his blessing." 



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